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Li-^l -^7/V. /^.5 ^ 




HARVARD 
COLLEGE 
LIBRARY 




Matilda, Countess 
of Tuscany . 



Matilda, Countess 
of Tuscany . 



MATILDA. 
Countess op Tuscany 



The Tin&a. — " Mii ^liuldr'* tl>^c<ifatubjKi|q> 
ilkfu LJiit- Ufblil ibe »pp«uiuic ot Ok *aiuma nvw 
b«r«* 114. |]j*H bv Vtt t*An In ICnRlflDrl vy kEBpanan 
KU'iy of MptLlJ-Ik. lb* 'OivkJaCvmi**-*' V T11KU7. 
KvcTx biitnry of [t« Pofitt or tht MitW' Atr*. rkflry 
ucoum pnurvii[ticElT*VQthCHituiy,fLEnLlBbaAaj|' 

clhcr Ufi. Vcl hIk www fif ILi HHl JonBut p«r 
■moliitat af Eb« Mkliila Jlfw, ud tfi« CkMBafel «vnu 

tu^jTfl lb « ^mooi Tidr. Ib uafltrulrLiia 4b« UaIe of 
AfdnabHlifeinKngtuhiUn Huddy iv Am in iIid fuld, 
Sii« hBB taU ilw tftfr in auuldcnbto dtiaU* Ltid bu 
«iHiinri ■ aide HEA. Un IhiMf bu « tiwi ulrjKi, 
ttt^HBHampudbluvBiiapulef (hk itmii dr vm 
«( kttbiv vntalA Tho ircty ii fpl] ol i]it«vE» ud 
blgtUmed hr ininjinEic incbEvnE and iiicEuruiiii* dfr 

Tk4P&llHhUGuena.-<'1>1>jl]d«<witqdv>uUMlly 
lb« ^yjiKl liutrcnlA ti^uiv lu ch* porlTkh i^kfy af hw*tB 

plftjcil wlim iiBv \ff (fallal tf tJ<xl»Jti; vwi Jd ifaa^vcm- 
imt Eikii* of iTMirifTJtT Kvivjx. Tit: wrk n hilicmkiTj 



UttPaH : JOHN LOMGv t^nuuna 



■^ 


^U[^H 




1 


f 


1 


s 

i 






^^ 


"J 


1 




Matilda, Countess 
of Tuscany,^ 



By 



Mrs Mary E. Huddy 



Wa4 Piar Piatqmmrr Plmri /ram Draarnji 

if George M. Sullivan 






MOiifOif s:tvnsD vtfrrn At>i?irtoi^ 



Lundon 

John Long 

3 and 14 Norrts Street, HajrmArtcct 
1906 



AXaSL Z'\\^AO.Z 



^ |4f\J«r COUMI LiSMMf 









** J'xt obiorvd Avcc b pliu grand ttan do be rioa 
inv^rer dftna ce raouell qui ne fAt pArfftit^menl 
ccofon&e & Ia *6ril^ autont que j*aie pu U 
ooonoftro^ II mL *nk qu« j'm «Btr6Bii3iA, <l*Da 
moa rMt iMrtuiv f&ltti vrAtuembl&bl^ dont 
j^wuvift pi»iii« 4 tC&r&iiUr toute Vaulli(^Dlic[l^ 
nuu j'ai CD la pr^oaution do we t/fttrir pour ah 
fair« 1a rumtion, Je lennet qui l<s feront flMe« 
raxmuottra nontmn par excDiple: cm dit^ i) cab 
TTftiaeiDbUUe, il cat probttye, tl est 4 pr^cuiDcr 



J. D. NiOOLK. 



Co 

UT DBAR FRIBHD 

E. L. 



ITo 

HT PEA& PRIEND 
E. L. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 



BlUfEBlUm AVD MATItTiA 




Rnler» (if Ttincanj— Stat* of SootMy— Hfklwbmnd—TJn* 
Pmnhee^— CliihlhrHKl — YmiTh — ,**Ujd&nL rjft — Atriuriv- 
of TtucaQj^Funf Ij trftditimui— Early di&ractiert«ticii 



CBAPTER II 



A? llAriLllA 



I 



loAuciiccfJ Btldetirujd — Bnico — Hiihumnitj — Li^lX.— 
dimocT — RoImtl Gulvfanl— Fobs n priwmer— Mitifdtt 
failienc<w — Sveond inuTi«|je i:>f BmtHcQ^MatitdEk p^iB^tlt^r 
in GprmiiD^— Duth of T^co 1X-— flikUbnind unbiaujoi- 
to OBrmiuo— St Pei^r'a Chair--Eti»rn of ilm ciUtw— 
Victor II. — VisEloi^ Vi CuiotfH— Karljr tnfluenLva. 

CHAPTEB III 



1S4 



H&-4S 



CftraiA u Cuoacu HiffTOBT ..,.,, 40-73 

EducatiuD vi Mntiilda — Duukv tli« povt-chronicJor— Litenry 
atifdirv^ludufllrv of VLil*>j- 11.— Siiuouy^DeovuncBd by 
fltary JII,— Hildirl^mnii L«gittt' Ui Fmm«-— <>ua»de ignHiiit 
•imony^^-HiTmy (jI Berer^g-Ai'iuH— Eltv&tLon »c Maw— 
Kf*d of nilJubnuid— Bis rvc^J— Ih^rtEli of Haity 111.— 
□vary IV. under '^^"' — l^'^t*' <^f Vicbx- — llifdirlirand 
pammanaOml^rLjiU to TuaAny—Chtiirpof a Ton t iff— M on to 
Oimho — BfUMliHTlii]*^ — Brotber of licutricc — Popo — 
BCMrildA M OTtrmaLi on —Stephen IX, — R(-/orni in finiml 
detCiuiw— Ctt'iic^ (ehbAcy— St FfUr Dainuui on uiJiiBti- 
iM^HlLdrbrHud C»nJiwal Ijfig^(Hr(o<ii;nriMiy — 5t»*j*h*'n'« 
llfnsd— Hh d*«t1v— OiiLti inll-potyi*— Fi-lrr l^niiiij'* 
ra<Uftl^]V)iiti MA h*r\ffMvt X'— HiMrbrHtu] rinmiitHt«» 
Bfiiliup(9«.nrd— Kiiiprrtu an Kf^k^int Hpproviix — C'tmrLdl At 
8l«w— Gcra/U d#cUfI by lUrdinAld— ArtLl-poui nitlroi— 
NklvOMn..''FftthorciflJi(?pf'oi''— MiLrHii£*ofK«d««kiitloi 
— &IDOIIUHV in Ocfmany— nrncrnl Cfuncft 4t Rome^Eleo- 
tlon of Fcp^ totiBntd Ut r^urliuaU- Beftlh of NiohnlM ■ 
Ontscfl of Cudlnnli — AinHni Bidogiim— CrinfH in Cbiirch 
hniorjr— Alezuid^r 11. — Ftnl frv* «lrcUcn ct PoDli&— 
lodigtiMtioii of Bm|ireu— Aitti-pope— Cftdaloui inTsdM 



Concents 



CHAirrEE rv 



UaTILOjI'g BxfTLKl* 



U-9» 



Tht LiliJId wurrior — PfttriotbdnoF MatllJu— rrcpni-Aliooa for 

wur—Mfttildii M Comnmndfir^ — Ilrr QrsL IxLtui?— Di'fait of 
CadalniiJk— Bi<ror<^ Uir? ^^auv of Riomt>— MaLildn'-t prr^uiuLJcinft 
— DnHcHptiun of Matticlit — Hti HacrHicp — Gtidfrv^ Udunm 
OOUJiiiaiuJ — MiiLildu u gtfiitral — Saooiid BallIc — Victniiry 
— TeiniH of »Mrri'inlrr-'M«LrUWii r«wtion— "DAU^-litir *iF 
thi* MargTaven" — It^^h^i'tL to Cl^miHsA— M^rn^^^H of MfLlililt 
— Gortfrvy Iff Bonsn— ITUAi-aclisr ut — DunaoV nileiii'^— 
nJ1rlt*1>T7tiiil XM CoitjjdeUui — Aiihdiii uf MiLUtua^— i.^iitdliu<)d 
of Hnnry IV, — IJaqlio of Coln^jp — tJbATHcter — EiiiprpJiM u 
RrgfrTil^-Tlcnry iindpr Hpuino — EvAllnflijcnci;oJ Adalbprt — 
Empmu qiiiu GeTmiiny 

CHAPTEB 
CuDiUTjT Rkpouib B9-1: 

Oolibucj' of til* cJfinry— LftWN r^;r»iii*t HiinHii>^^imwi)r in 
Qvriiwiky — Trctbtuiv&l gif Iho Saxdi^a — RobvLtiuu — MunAgv 
nf QcnL7— 'ncpvUliijriH AlvxAadcr H- for ijivorct— A'Fdter 
DMiiJ^n Lufiktv to Ovfumnj— XJvnrj pr90ii#v> refonn— 
J\lrjiiiiLi|«r ijlrvcm NuriuAA Ariu.v A^aiiiitl l^uv^i^tut— BEmw 
aUiii<1a(iI of Wttliftiu tliv CoriqiirJCEi — AlujuiJet |if»tctU 
Jew* — OfciU'iinjf 51 Jijiiti liftteiuu— MfAWkcep to Tubcaiiv — 
3(u)om4c»in Lumliaid>— NonnaiiMi»iiPigMh/aiis — Mj^tit^ftli 
Utormrj jkoguiitmciaLi* — ilci industry — Cbtmiat kod 

t'hyUGimn — Viat to noin<?— Btatrice nltuida fur Opnrj — 
Aufrauc lionourvd Ly Alejtaj^dcr IL — lllncfiHof Lhi* Popi; — 
CuTEid to twdfLide of Aubi'pope-^EvpeiitaDcc niid death 
'4 Ctdnluufl— DvhUi of Atbutm^^'r — H[]d<^brai^d itvsuiues 
coiiLrrJ— V^l u1i«wi(ui«i uf Ali'LHtiidur-*^" HHiIe'ViiheiiI for 
Pijiht''— Oimiintiftn—Qrecnrv VIL — Notifiui liU uk'^MtEim 
W- iTcdr^— Writes u> WiTlinm '* Kict^ uf ilii? En^Etah'*— Tn 
Iluipj u? Cfimj'— B&itricc ■ widuw — I!tf*Lrk:u *ri£! Matilda 
iuk ndricr ot Groj/orv— T]lm*?iB of firegi>r7— l^^tcr U> 
Bmtrice am] Matilda-^^jinzUUtur^ policy of Grecorj — 
OvpTLiirw 111 Ronrj— H*?iin'i4 replT^-OrL-ppjry wnu« to 
Bmtrica luid MALLldii — S^i-oLid Ijni^Mr—dtuilocl *}i Brmi?^ 
Simony i-inwiiinLfffd — Hmrj' npiiniprntrn tlmrrh fund* 
— 'Oiwury <-xtiort* H#Dr7^Piu|X'Hwi Haurv M cfHTimnnd 
cniMHim— A lLrtio(niorti"i[i.y— (*«vt;or/iii iridiihtr^— H«rrar 
ufthtf NirlmbittrH— Rrmj^iftf for Hnriml a'lihftcj'^Qivncn Xt 
ttnmA — Tava n^^'Eniil murrU^ of i^^eHOL 

CHAPTBE VI 

£xO0VUl^»IOATI^Ff OF llKSrBT IV, .... Ifi&-149 

UoiinHl xt R^mo— tjiy iriv«atEl.tirHi — ^l1|;nlncan» of — 
Abiiflcitcf — ('Anonff4ldoeUon-^lAWKjL>r«ir*t lay tTiVABliLDro 
^AiithnhVtMi on— flrpfioiy wntM Vt Hnnry— Hstiry « 




Contents 



OtWtfiic—Tl« Villi oi nmrrM jirTSU— Hrnrv diAinjimn <ti 
nkhoUllWB'-i^iiiLiiJKriitfii tAboDiA—Mi'iiHiirnffacoiJiiriiiTitcA- 
tioPi Ore gory'H trAHutifl fur wwritj — Hvni^'n |in!iDti»R i^t 

AMdc^^Limid of— Cend— Hu plot minM. Gtp^ory — 
Willful MM— U^enii of at Mjvift luggbri— Tnijwriikl 
ihrviM at— AtUck oD Gt^arf— PH«oii«r (I ffL A[ij^'fli>— 



jjwouu FcrgtTPiusBw udtctnporjil ptLDmliineut--Ori£ii] of 
tlooiit— Council Hi H<jru»— BMtrie^ %na 



vnmiuonnS U> 

nbulilA fPTwnt— Frtiry net-nun iinic»Ud—TfriU» lo 



VOUd'HtfQ 



voua— HAQTT'Ji niMWicff— RfllBUid'a pfrmmimion — S>-nrd At 
St JahQ lAtonin^ltnttHiN] tnd MntilHA pn'»^ont — 
AmhaiwfTnr from ilm Kmg— flia inHolan™— Clrvgijry'i 
tolcniH^— Sfvond dAy- of Synocl'— TiLlr of Popp conAti«I to 



!Hi^ of the Chtirch- ?ciify> f<i,fnmmuniofttlon oonfinni^ 
— Gri«f of Bimbriofr— Mftttldft^ Btrcc^ iiensc* of jnnticv — Sad 
B«nini>cw »M a ' ■ Qregory'i forlimimnce. 

CHAPTEE Vn 

Grctforyu UlUr to tbc GcrrrLAUk Advimi iDnicccy — Ilintv 
wl BcAbnce— ConnSctdiig dutira — M^txldn's nuiijniiiiimity — 
Joun«7 to Derm V1 1* — It* dilUtulUfj- Qre^orv'mforffiviiicBa 

widcrv — BeCarfi to Tuscaqv- L>oii.thtK.d of Bisatrioo — Her 

■^Beuaiiu <if BfutnVfi n'mcmd — i;n'tr'>rj'B opiniou of 
Bmtriot and UuiJiLv— iJtiilricr .mtt He nry— ^jki'^uH iippr«1 
toOrecorj — IaivtoU — Oxvory-^tflUr t>i iitrxlitvt-Kin— Hirhf-y 
in a dklfrmni^— Bcc HfttUdA^ intcr^OHion — To ^itin on 
flnptrv — Acro*n ttivAlpatn wiaUv— A fri^htfol jcninmy — 
Hwldn ndrinoi Qrc^frrj — 0rc((OT7 beat on |HKitlcatioN — 
Write* to Gcrituui pitncco — Orcftc-ry at Floreni* EfAdr to 
hoc the AJpB— Approach vi Utmry—Riain^ of Lombnrdj— 
Gregorj rrtirv to CMoai»~Ilngo of Cbbj-'Flcwla for 
nenry— Matitdft go«» to intrt Ut^uty. 

CHAPTER vni 

Qsmr AT Oa9oma 173-1^ 

Uatilda u oonifon#r— lltiuiv'v chu^rjii—MHtiJd^ u 
Dio^&lor^PflrM di TtntlU'iiYX — UrV|tinr^'ii di««iTi|ifijaji rjf tlHi 
EbierrSf V — Ihmi?^ aa iiv«w|tnnM— ^ Ki:(^iiiMinirriif^M<irt 
r«aoT«d— H<*nT7 rrfiuiH rf^tEjHaiiA Uut,— f^fldneHA at th(* 
IsMt — Widffftinv nf thr- bna^^rmpcnlu-iit "p^Tiltaat" 
— ■■t«dntid«Cbmt«^''— M«titd.i't hcquHi — liacitflDt — 
OpMMd bj^ B*Bfj— ni« plot^FruitmtM by MatiWa 
<--BA|;innm^ cf hutUliifcv — Donixo'i ■on^ of triiimph— - 
Gregory'* return to Romi-— Matilda p]»di for Hrnry-* 




Contents 




ntph 



Gregory Jiaau'provpp of ri?rollr— Snionp a[)ppal In fJr^^'orj 

4^^— Uirih Of hl«Tirv 
Wouoda Rudolph — Death of tli 



DeAtliorA 



bta Prhpe ji'ieldfl — Sirnd^ <Tnvn ut BudulpL — 
eft— Birih of Henrv V— Godfrey nf Bouillon — 
e Eoiperar^Hu tomb ftiul 



I Ti sen pr^oD. 



OHAFTER IX 




A Cdaptiedl oi- Wa» 



196-S19 



Groifory writoato Waiium **Kin|i of the EnpluJi"--To the 
the Britoiifi — Coni^ccnil.i^a llu^^L of t'ltnoblc — MAtilda'* 
cifta— Clou*U of war— llfHrv'a chauoclJor u ftoti-pow— 
Ouujici] m Bonic— John tbi.- flvrmit— MaUJiIVm (r?rr<if lifilp 
—UttiTy'o *n^r^nv**lp*fl llnly — Grr^-orj-n oonccni — 
Hi»«p|Mal lo l!i»nib*rdy— Matitiia t-^ tlir ic»i;U'?^Prepa™- 
ticMuiforvftr^Loydtyof i^eTujiiini)^ — MJl^iJdll in i^ijnijiuoiid 
— nerw»r-cry— Dtffeal — Pm'*m^i by iKc *Vrtiitfcr — Floi^uoA 
Uhcti — Pniua f aJ la—MnlililA iu rRtreat— At Imy -CwioatiA 
bc*ipycd— Iwjii/o'j euthiulum — Aciuity of Matilda — 
Hmrj'* nbagiiik^DovpcfMe me^urca — Ct'Urftgt' cf Matilda 
— DonLuf^ od mi ration — Matilda^a iitintf^T — Sortie from 
OuiOMs— l^Iuu 4ad bAttle-ci7— The4*Wack— Vitlory for 



MftUldft — Bvapitc from wnr — rrtLiaiaLlviifi agaiaal tvpriHtkla 

r't^tcetalled — Euta 
luc^iiJibiiam in. 

Tu*6»uv — MjiUl*l* n«l Lw Irt! Ji-swn from Buiiil'— Our 



Oroiiory'o prpBfuw iff taiud— Hr(Lr> ibiowe Liiu^clf ujjon 



Ncro^j 



IT EQ&r 

field- 



tretalled — Eucatupn utl 



pblrloLttuii wiiLj(idt^-*Onef foi bei peoplr^Dti- lidcllty to 
the Hi>] V Si^ — LiitiJk falln — Bvuiy the CiJiEi|iierijr— EAcapo 
of AdmIdl Ui Cuiutfth — Huury electa hin t^Hu BibJjoi*^ 
Auii'popo ftdTioun AjiM^liu— AuAvWs Mpiiitcd rvptj — 
TuHUB rotAk« Ihtnr dtlm. 

CHAPTEE X 

Am UXDAV^TID WoiiAX ..... tSiOZ4t 

R^nry ni.iVEigMit^nit hfn nrniy— KoTn« dun'ni; the iij^fje— ^ 
MAiildft [incEiTkqi)ered-^r*gory'A luti council— The dAti^hr^r 
of ihfi rhurch— 8»d reminlft^enL'**— firftgory'a rt>nipoau™ 
— ^Addreaa itt i\\¥. luemtilj— Tmii^ra within the ^nt/'i — 
Godfrey o/ BoniJlon— llenn- in It*?fmr— Mjitildfl w^iirea 
Si Angelo for Orc>-ory-- Henry '» iliAnppointnient — Anti- 
popp h» ClproRit ni. — UatLldas «<jrk in Kotur rnded — Sb« 
*hHlff* til*' ii'TitiiU'U — E»CJipw l<iTnKraT>y — S*^^ hr»fii*-pr.»inii^g 
— St AtigHo I'r^ie^KisI— 4ir<?gory writ^ai in Btihpit riiiimTLrd — 
Rrtl jertSt T*ply — dill U* *nnfi- 'H^nry withrlnnrntrtrt'infftn-* 
— NoniiAna in Roni«— G r*((ftrj'a f^titft ^lietvt»noit at 
GiiiiiOArd^Hld oiiilton— RnUros with Cire^jiu'y— AdUu to 
Hr>m»>— 'riin on(l*^-Or»j<iT7'B bwt Jonrnay— iiakriKf— 
OalMud nt hoiDfr^nu fiwwpll — Orepory'* iltoHii — 
SttOMBon BOiuiiiAt»d— Aiutlm of Mo&tim— Abbot of 



Contents 

HodU CkMJno— Cudinal Otto— Guibnt at St P«c«rV— 
Popa bat in nam«-^Aii unvilling KruftrM* — H«ar^ 
triiucph— MAttldft^ vig;ilftDO«— H«r miliUr;' Nkill^Mid- 
ikigbt aitAck— Victory— Jouitj«y tASftbroa 

CHAPTKB XI 



r*Ol 



Dkatb t>r THK "RBruRjm" 



»T-SG9 



bibMirtt— OpEiiionjt r««p«ctm^ Gre^i^iry— Bia i^hanxt^r \aA 



KS( 



III an Orftgory— Btimrl %l SAlom&<— Rcidj 
♦xhninad — Enn>]|cd u a ulrLt-^l^oiimiMl b^ I(alir--OH«f 
of Kjilvn GnljWATd — Hi^ «I»Lh — Psiw^iig avnjrrif tliE Pow 
•Jut — Ou r^biLnulcr — Dovidcnu* the mcnli'^IIi'i tinvilU 
lAgfi^ to becomt Pi^w — CirdiiifiU m dik'tnnui — {{<<Tolt id 
StkHtay^ Bmvf in Tavatny — MntiMft't g'>v(>miiipnt — 

I>«f)d«nii« in St Ang^io^OtmriHl ** Vitt/.r III.— 
Attack«d hy jifiti-pcipe — Flight of Viirt^f — PAV^wttH to 
— Ag*iiut th« iafideL ^ Di^ShUi iff ViiH'ir in, — 
MUda'i ^jidf — iittft i>r ChAtilJon ' Hia chnmot^r — 
Crowaad as Urban ti. — AQtJ-pcp«'A activity — Urtiui^ 
M|)ftt«d>tion of M&ttlda^Uifl policy. 

CH AFTER XII 

"Ttat Oiuui Ottvwrm" . . . . . tTO-fiCn 

Difllcull^ of £(i vurn merit'- L't ban diai^iiuri^epd — BnjiLo 

fovndvr of the CarLhiiHt&aA— Itf^fuAis \iUlto|irio — C\>in)cll 

at Ammlft^-'Statates couArnifd agaiii»t iitvcutitureH— 

IbfAtilds** bciwdcoit ffhemni — RMlontiona and improVB- 
DWMU — AubOCratlC JtuthoriLi-^nfmL' flt duiwrt— Hoitpi' 
UlhT^ttudJoB — Butxit of NorniEkulj — Urbau'H a j^gtstion 
^Wuf tivke uf BavaruL — Welf or Quttpli— L«Grviifl 0t— 
UftHldi^* d««.i?nt fronj Gu«lj]Vi» — Guelplm Knd EngliiTk 
iviiv«reignf — Uattld&'f wfcoutl marriage — Hpdij on tlir* war< 
patfa^Bffcrc Ri:imr> — Rnrom nn Em|>eror — Urban Ab St 
AXi^(^— Hr^mt iueviAj;eH Ut Mulllda— A rr\M» — MatJUlx 
U> thm r«»n)^— Flijfhi iif UHjrii— -Urnfy roMlliid to 
Gflrnftnr— R*nJt of hit hpir— -lUninhiricnl of Oinmd — 
Orkf of Benhji— Hot d^ftth— Hcnrj'i n?con(l marringe— 
Connkd ffira to Mutildn — TIU n^pE'iiUnr-j? and il^tt^Afitl- 
»]b« qt]it* Roicie — nH«n at St PHrr'i — Cmiunl at 
Placwnliiv — Pope TiKilH FV*cl^v--Oln^^il *.l Cli?rr«;cMit — P'-t^r 
tli« livirmil^ I'tIkn ^nc^ttun^i'ci Dm rriiuuJ« -^ Huitr/ii 
cppvrtuti&t/ liHit — Rf^pf lUAv ui tht evil — Ofidfrny a( 
BMtitliKi fommuidnr— CriiHule «Ji cipmtlan- 

CHAPTER Xm 

A FALi-tv MoxanriT . .... 294-^11 

Utbuk^ tour in Pnnec— TIlc QoTdm BoM— R^M ftmdi^— 

XMommraufttaon of Philip L n^m1>v^d- -Wdf rttnnw to 

BiT4rui — Urbui in Tvtciuij—CniMdofv— Matilda ntii«a 

bcr beqyOft — Council at Itomv— Inrmtitithw— ArvKbinbop 




Contentft 

i>f Ci&Qdflrhur/— Plmdn Tor Willinni JtttfaA—tndualr/ of 
Qrluii--" BliMisi^l "— HLi dc^ilb-bcJ— DtaLli i>f Godfrey af 
Bouillon —CanlmAl Rvuiiii' — Huloiy ot — InbcrccpLed flight 
^Eki'tod — CruwQuJ luf Piucal 11. — Hia tinaiitv— Hcurj 
belligtrt-'nL — A nti-nani^a^'^^irdiDaJ Albi^r-L ^Tliecxiiiirn: — 
Abbot of Fnrfa us SyUcttvr IV.— Ouunt Rult^t of Skilj— 
Cvmha fur ChiLJvIt nJiJ iL&lj — MntildA Irj Hume— HurrjA 
Ui TubUiLur — ttffli^ged in M^KitUft — TraiLnr* within — 
IXjiiiti/* iii(lJgnJiti»>]i — I>i>«ireiiti"n n.t Tvimm -* Mid- 
i,ijnii»ilin rejwufiut '— Awnkcutid loyuHly — Henry KjneH 
|^ruiind-*f)EiV[?u to fucL of tlie Al^ut — Him ^uaI pcjituro— 
Vav^-n till- JiM.'iy — Mftlildjh imtken puMic niLifi<:jttuiii of h*r 
liccimwt to thi? Chnrch — Rt^nry tirot^itp — IIctHilllofl af 
Prince ncnfy — -GennitHy in roljelliijii— Hi^nry's p&Uittic 
aupr%l Vo hii B(^n'^Writ^w tu Philip L— loipriiiincd— ^4Jo» 
:ktidtciitiuii'-^It« GvriEUuy. 

CHAPTKR XIV 
EUTtnOi AND POPft ..-..• 3]6'39I5 

9t Olho Biflhop of Bttmburg — Ui?nry in Pluidora — I^At 
Tonls of fnri-ivvneM to hin voa - Ilia di«tli— Ohanu^tir— 
U«!ivry V. -Ulb obiirootor— Enibuty to f^Ms&l— Envo^V 
to stop ftt C!HaoK«n--ABvarafiOH of fnond«hip— M«tildai» 

firiof fur Henry IV.-^Hor uixitstTfor hi« 4WKwtm>r — PJc^da 
or liciirv — WmbI uid M^UIdft^PBaul's v»cdUli<m^ 
RtAturTk <>f thfT litulMUimdors — Impatwnoo of HeafT to b« 
KmptfMr — JJo thrv^aUiiB inviwion I'iuad flUa to Ff«nco — 
Simony and inveatitun; — I'aual rcturna to U'^m^ — Haciry 
&t the gatcB— Hio coDaidtTYttLob lor Mrktilda— Dccuunch to 
bo orovficd— Fuonl's condjtioinf— linpnecuincnt of PopO 
ukd CbrdimLLc — ttonuuii iq Ahub -Piu^oal yiddi* - Uorcma- 
tionof Utniry V.— OpmionA oonctfriiiii^ Pmit^&I'fl oonooMioiUb 

fTFTAPTKR XV 
Rbquoboat [V rA<TE, , . . B8T-944 

MfttUdA indutuiuil-" Xhv Empuror in Tuac^uiy — Viifla 
CnrioHB — Matilda At hi^UK'— IiupcnoniLtiin of Briirv— Viiil 
proluOiT'i^ — MuLiWu " ViLiTitf'in'Jil" in T/jjiibwdy— Ut»r nllj 
^-G^lvnicU'r of MuLildji—Utr 1q;nhtj — |Mt^i'JLiuIl-^iXlUl1^;B 
^wwrilnj; — rieUufl— fiharlty— piutv— jmrity — iiD^fllAhneM 
8h«*piwftbt for liJiuiMioD cJ the Iftt^ Iviiig'* i!VL.-ij[i:inHLTiiai- 
tkut BnflT iit Kint: reiuovcd to S[iircA — Matjldit ill — 
Tkovpl*o^i onjotioQ— M*ntui tn roYolt— Matilda lijtea fiom 
rIcIc bed to quull ivbdlioii— RcrnaULituu uf Maatujuit — 
UAtitd>'« but, iuuruvy — tlvr iliiii^fi* iitid dt^aUi — H«r 
mjiiiiDB Li'Ui^ved— 'Tuiulj i;|vui*d— lUuiKiuH rt'iuovnl tri>3l 
P<*Ltr^H — Mooutri'-iit kiiiI iiHmptiiMi— Pit'Luiv liv Ciiiudmi*— 
FraifT *un)^ tiv ihjkIh And uioKicUiUii— T>i>niKo'A lut Uiusut 
"OrwatOiniiit-!"'" 



IQLOOIGAL TaHIJE 






XEV 




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



POEtTRAIT OF MaTILDA^ 

Cawtle op St Anqklo 

Towfi OF BVATblOR . . . , 

MoiruiiKNT TO Matilda in St Pbter'Bi Roue 



Frontispieee 



131 



169 
342 



XV 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



CHAPTER 1 
'* W« r««r] ftnotKer UiJdebrud to •b&k« 

liv thtt year 962 the QermAn Btoperor, Otto the Groat, who 
h^ marned Adeltti<ic, widow of Lothair, King of It«Jy, vtm, 
bj Uic elective vokc of the Homan Doblcs aoil'patnciaas. 
cbosen ftA their hdog. From that time, bhcrcfcrc, the ItoJian 
dynasty was ondcd. HeoeofoTth tho country know no other 
NOY«rai£^ than Gorman prinooa who, following thu policy of 
Cbarl«ina|*nei treated the kingdom a^ a conquered provinoo. 
On their coronation at Rome they assumed th^ imperial 
dJgiiity, and, an hintorians asanre ns, "made repeated but 
inefl«ettia1 atr^mpU4 to revive the ancient lawn JLnd cnetoms 
of the city." 

TTndur the title of " Pontifei Maiiinufl" or '* Upholder 
of EccJcfliaatical Rights.'' they eonsbitated themselves 
'"Deff^ndcra of the Chvtroh" agaiDst d) meu, albliuugh they 
thoogbl lightly of violating h«r ZLUbhority when it waa 
pnkootmocd aj^ainet th«in. 

ITic eloaiELg of the t<iDtb centnrj", however, bocABnc the 
epoch of a marked change in the oonstitation of Italy, 
In tho north, Lomburdy, headed by Milan, became to a 
eortain degree indepeodeut, though still more or 1ms 
awajcd by the Imperiul Hourt. 

Other iroportant cities, icclnding Rome, threw off 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

ftllfif^a^noe to the Emperor, and having thus asserted their 
mdepQnctont!o, ''paused under the control o£ the pi^ople 
tlmnselves, wbo ma^e and repealed their own laws as 
twooesity Of caprica dictated." Those living m the other 
province?^, nuch a« the extem^ve marquisate of Tuncany. 
which ofterwarda formed the nucleus of the ttepublicc of 
Florence, Luccd, 1*15* and Sienna, were content to commit 
the reins of government to ahler hands than tboae of tb<» 
|)0pnlaci2. "The citica of Tuscany " renULrks tba liiatorian, 
''aro placed ae rocks in the aubsidiary w&ate of uneotUed 
power." 

Th'ur nilrrs were, for the most part, native princes, who, 
under the varlouH titles of Mar^aves, Dukes, Counts, etc^ 
doLJkinuorwl over the towiw and cities which comprised 
tboir priucipaliliee viithout «uiy prQt«Bt from the in- 
lubitAntrS. Probably this de^potiml] would not bnve been 
tolerated hail it not been tempered by a gracioaa coo- 
dosccGsion which secured the ready obedience and loyol^ 
of the wUIiug vasaaie. 

These dignitarios, independent of each other and o( 
Oeroaany^ were, in point of fact, oo many petty sovereif^ 
whoBo power bccnme both absolute and hereditary. 

Tbey not only impoaed taiea upon their subjects, bat 
•zaet^ labour from them withottt remuneration, and not 
infrequently demanded tb^ir time and Btrength in carrying 
out works of defence or utility. 

In return for this forced aorvice th« Castle doors were 
opon to relieve the needy. Thcr ladirn of the bcoHehoId 
voloatarily undertook to care for the sick peasants, for 
whom they prepared mcdicinos and ncuriobing food witli 
ihair own hands, tn addition to this personal a^iatficce 
«nd sympatby, the tyranny of the pnnoua woa farther 
miti^ted by th^ erection and endowment of monasteries 
which afforded sustenance and ahelter for the a^ed and 
infirm- 

Uibtary service was required at the hands of the vasaala 
whouvTnr Iheir lords were disposed to enter tipoji th« war- 







Tuscany 

p«h ia order to acquire freeh t^rritory^ or to ropol tho 
incuraiona of nativo or foreign princes 

At tho Mmo iiiDO H most be oootosed the U&rji^voft 
con«4itut«<) tboiniolvcB th« ncognUod proUctont of tb^ir 
depnodiuiUi, ftnH were ever r»u3y to take their part a^inat 
ttie ati»el;H mini ntinoynncwH of tl;«ir Ji«)nufi iimghlxittre. 

Atnongflt those uiost to be fe&reil were the NormiLDA, who 
»bOQt tbia period bng&n to ZLCijuim conniUrrnJilc! tcmiory in 
Itftlj, iwd whose Dialled haad f«!l heavily upon ihv uaiiviA 
whoM lAod they appropn^tcd. 

A bftnd conipoeed of forty of theao valiant eoos of Mjkrs 
bftid on their retam from a piigriioA^e to the Holy Lnnd pro- 
ceeded by way of the Tyrrhcniaii ^oa and landed at 8alema 
The inhabitiLDte of that city wtT« eogftffed At the timo in 
rMnsting with varying «acc«eii the attucka of a horde of 
Sarusens who caiiu» tn vaitt nQmbera And over-ran most of 
the sciathem portion of Italy. 

The Nonnanit offered tlieir services to the citiswne, and 
vilb thjit daring which 18 aasi^ciatad with their uauie drove 
back tZib iuCdeIn atid s?tU«l aa billies in tlif; couutry Lhry hnd 
eo goUatitly rescued. By cuiiqn^ret and rre({UQOt AnoexaliunH 
Ibeee entcrpruan^: Mittlero giadnaJly but Hardly eitondod 
Ibeir tcrritorice until tbcy formed themselvee into a iiambtsr 
of self -controlled and formidable ooloniea Tboee provinces 
at a lau^r dato wero roco^isod aa fiofe oE tho Charch and hold 
in trust for tht; Poutiffa, whoso tompor»l power was tiicrcby 
eooAiderably Augmented- The floly Soe, however^ thoufi:li 
thna idded by the secular arm, was not yet Httfitr-inntEy 
strong to rosiit the imperial control of the tiAra. Unfortun- 
Ately, tike choice and «l«?ction of the Popes remained 
PTclnmvely in thn handn of Lbc Emp^rorSf wh'j bud nrrD(vaU<d 
Ut lh»unMdveM Uie privilegt- uf chuuaiug the aueceiuurs tu th<f 
chur of St Fetor and of placing theroon pennons dovoled Lo 
the empire The nteu Ae] tret «d were fonerally the n^Utivi^Hor 
Chaocellors of the Gornutn naooarcb, and wcro conecqncntly 
bound by lice of family interest or poli^ to uphold the 
conoUtntioa 

3 



MacUda, Countess of Tuscany 

This custom could not Fail to bo |>«rmoioiis io tie resoltoj 
to the Church, upou whom tt indicted Pontiffs V'lio wen' 
iiicftpablc of fulBUiDg thoir holy trust, a&d whoeo obligAtioiu 
to their patrons mmio them hositato to roprovo their vices. 

To ftdd to the troubles by which the Eoly See was 
atniotfid, the tin of simony had inai^tiously corrupted th« 
tfWtions, and the way to the throne veas assured by generous 
ooDtributtoiiH to the imperia] excheqner Thti pnxe, ad a 
natural cour4t^r|iienc(i, fell to tha highest htdder^ and *' there 
ODsaed a saccRasioQ (if anti-Popes whose elevation was & 
aoanda.1 to the whole Catholic world." 

Spiritual qualilicatioDs or pereonal fitDeas, we learn, were 
entirely dit^penseil with in the false PontiHe, and it won this 
omisfiioa which uiiuIl* th&ir iduotLft cation BO unmiBtakable. 
Jn vain, we are told, did earnest Christiana aeek in them th© 
administrative ability and purity of life which should distin- 
gaish the temporal head of tho Charoh. Nor did they find 
in these* asurpers that devotion to the lutereeta of the Holy 
See which demanded her Vicar to be continuously on th9 
alert to detect and resist encroach mentff on her ciWI and 
religious righla. 

Corruptrion having thus crept to the very footstool of 6t 
Pet«T, wlmt wonder that much laxity of morals prtvailcd 
among the dock committed to the charge of eucb hirelinf; 
Bhepherda 

St Peter D&mian, who hved at the time, thus deecribcft 
the (tad otute of aooioty, both i-eligioua and secular: — 
'* Ecclesiastical dieciplme is almost gone, the holy caDona are 
dcflpised anJ the Hrdour due to Qod*s service is shown only 
in the pursuit of earthly goods. The lawful order of 
marriage iu disregarded. We have long since renounced aU 
virtue. Laymen Heisc the rights, the revenuen, the possuft* 
(tions of Uie Ohardi, and sei^e the »^ubstance of the poor aa 
they would the spoils of th^r enemiea. In our days the 
world in hub a tht^tre of intemporance» ftwic^ and luet/' 

But a new era of life and enthusiasm was ftbont to dawn 
for the opprenflcd Church, and the first ripples of the mighty 




Hildebrand 

vftv« oi freedom be^jui to tittr tho etAj^ftot waters of eJ&tb 
sikd mdifferenoe. H«r loug-ui^gU'Ct^d canL^ua wt-i© reatorud 
and the smouldering «mbeni of fftith were quick^Ded m tbe 
hearts of her children, whuae lives hud loug cciuiud to re«|Kiii<d 
lo Lbi: t4Mch\n^ of hnr Divinn fntmder. 

""like A i^mut vimuj^ from nlenp, hIic nwokii oiktu Atid fctr 
€rcr frDin Uic Ictluirgy wliicli hitd Tjunibeii her vitality. And 
an impulse of life ind tctiou thriHcd h^^r dgnii»ijt fibnM, 
Cutting off Oie chains 'which hod bound her to earthly 
interests, she shook hcrMilf free and atood fQrth the ' ChninpioQ 
of Virtue and tho Dcnonnccr of Vice-' " ' 

At tluB Gridia of tbe Church's biatory & PoDtilT waa needed 
who vith A (>t<-rn purpose nttd ah inHcxible will joiocd to a 
proTotiDd fienae of duty should undertake the eontrol of 
eecIeflUftlicA] aSTAtrft. 

Hild^hrAod. A hnmMe tnonk of Cluoy, regponi^ed to thh 
Diviite cihll» aud hin vrns the lutid which '* kmdlvd tht; torch 
of roform and bore it aloft with cleAr aod ateady brilliancy 
to tbe gitKc of the Cbriatlnii world/^* 

While tbe pioueer of Church liberty yet lay in hia oradle 
ereutfl were piuving around him whicli laid tbe fonndatiooi of 
theoorrectiTe meaauree which were to constitute hi^ life's work, 

Benedict VIII,» who ha<i been reetorcd to the Papal 
ChAir by tlenry IL of Germany, had in tho Council summoned 
for th« purp0£O of <srDViiicg thnt monarch i^Miied a decree 
thai the eJeetion of tbe Pointifftt uhoold be freely mode by the 
dcrgy &ui) tbe Roniini jH^uphi. Thia rule waM a ci>iifiriiiiihioii 
cf tbunc alnubdy drawn up by Popva Eugeue and Leo IV. iw 
Ur b«ck a« BU and 847. 

Tbe pnaaing of tbe decrei^n juat at that time, remaLrka tho 
hutorian, derived nir^T^lar pipiilkance from the f^ot that 
tbe Emperor, who vr%* aftervard* eancnised, not only gavo 
h» tAcit dOTbimt to thnir enturttnpiit, but alao at the tiaino 
ConAcil cion6iined tbe Chiirdi m all ita righta and privi- 
legea ooaferred by Charlemagne, 

■ SrdniattiaU Bii^rufiAi/t by tbo Bight Uoa. Sir JamM SUphon, 



I 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Ui:ider t)ia ctuapicoa of Eildobriuid a crttruido woa (5aier«fd 
upon to roetrict tho oDCroochineotB of UarmaTLy* by onfordoj; 
tUe l&vn which s^cuTtid Papal CrM^ciu, The Church armed 
horaelf witli b«r Djviae authority and henceforth n)«i«t«d thm 
"obftlinftte persistence" with which th^r Empcrora sought to 
<l*»poj*o ovsry successor of St Peter who refuee<l to BuUuit 
to tlicir BUj*n*mi*cy in spiritiin-l inattt-ra, 

A long And weveT'e sLmggtc vinuuud which, though ilcottt 
Ihu PoniikT hie throne, wits in the ina.in RnutstuufiiK It 
rcsoltcd nob only in ^ving the Holy See her libcrt-y, and 
Jtaving lier stronger than ever, but it bJmo paved the way for 
tho Future iadependcucc o£ Italy. 

Although bis name han iiGtruuLusound, it was to Tuacany 
Ih&t iiiliiebrand owed his birth. Ho wae; horn in 1013 at tho 
town of SocLue, ati4 history la sitont as ti^ his pareatajj-o except 
that hie father, B^iiKo by name. Followed the caltini^ of tk 
oarpenter Sotue writ4>ra claim for Litu deact^Dt from tho 
lUustrioiie family of the Aldohrandcschi, who woint tho owners 
of uutnt^rouri caatlaa and towofi in tha vioinity at Siaiina, bub 
ihit fmct ie sbroudoii in nnciirtainty.^ 

Like Lh» hidden UCi? at N&zareth, th«j «ar]y yearaof ilie 
rafonacr wero paaaed unrecorded in the bosom of his simpio 
hoiDc sheltered b&Deikih the wings of paitintal afloctioi*, 

Whilo he v^AM yet a child, the vcii of obliviDti was drawa 
aMdo, and tradition allows us a brief glimpse of the eti^bt^ 
fracUe bcinj;, wlione name waa hcreaftt^r to sound like a 
tnuDpet in the ear? of the ^nemiea of the Church. 

One dayf ifhile he wai? yet too youn^ to learn to read^ the 
little boy was amustng himself in watcbing his father at 
work. He tried to catcli tlic shavings as they foil around 
bim in i^utck succession from B^nzos actiTe plane, and 
laughed aluud id childitih gl<w whrnav^er he succeeded in 
capturing Uk^ curling w(x>d. Hiii mother, engag«d in needle- 
work, ga^iod now nud tlien at the child, patting liia glijssy, 
black cnrls, and watching with maternal intereat the 

^ Lirt$ 0/ tJu Hcman l^mrif$t h/ the Gb«vftlj«r D'AiUuddB Maabor. 
1871* 

6 



The Prophecy 



pertinftcit^ viUi wluoh hifl tittle h&nda endeAvoiirfti) to 
gTfi»p the cpimJ toy& 

Sudduoly the atU^otion cf both parents was aimaltanc* 
Oiufy drawn to the fact that the pieces of wood bfl,d fallen 
into Du ttceiiJeDtal poBitiona GraduiLlly thoy a6«umod tho 
cbancUn of Ifttt^n and worrje, until nt length o, complete) 
aoDt«n6e was formed, not in the ii«»tivd tongue of HiMc»brund 
and his pftraits, but in lAtin, the tmivei^^l Innguft^ of the 
Cbimh. 

Bpnxo nfnHKiTi^ timt this wuh no miitt'er to bo trefttod 
Uglitly, palled in a cleric who hnppeatd to be pnening at tliu 
iitne, nnd but^iigtit tiim to inter^rral bo tb^ni the mMsag^t 
whkfa they beJieved t4> be from He&reu reg&rding their 
ehild. 

The priest oo entering tho humble workshop glauced 
dniOQslj oi the shavings, and wne no li^ss astoTiiehcd th^a 
tho perentd at perceiving on the ground before bim the 
Coltovring prophetic «enteace: " Dominabit'wr a mari u«^^m 
adrrutri," "' He ehaii have dominion froms«a (osea," ''Thus," 
rasarks a loarticd writer of oar own tim^B, *' he was able to 
predict the gloriea of that univerGal empire of which he was 
dwtiiHfd Lfj 1m th» bivid,'^ 

The chihl, though inheriting a delicacy of constitntaon 
whicb kepi him nioof froiu Ltie rough games of hiEi more 
hardy playmat<^a. ^'lew to be a bright, merry little fellow 
codowed with a siugnWly Mwe/it and gentle dispoaition. 

At an early ago he bt^gan to ahow such an unoAoaJ 
sptitude for Uaraing that his parents resolved to give bim 
Ihe b«at education thoir limited meanfj could afibrd. Noting 
bis piety and ready obedience, and doubtless induenced by 
tbe forecast of bin fDtnre, they conceived the Ldua that 
HcAven intended him to be devoted to the priesthood. Co 
fiirtb«nuiee <jf thix ohjeot they prupared tu make many 
panooal aacriftcefl in order that hn might roccivo a coiirse of 
inatmetioD which should £t him to fill that holy office. An 

■ Lecture dellTord 4t the opcaiug of the PrcBbjrtDriui l^ivimb;- Oal] 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

x» well kDown. the Catholic Church watches over her chiHrcn 
with matenLAl Bolicit^utie, and to iheiit ^he looks ta c&rry uufa 
Iier work for the ealvation of souls, and those who amcercly 
desire to devote themeelves to Ler aerrice nre never repulsed, 
no coattcr how humble tboir origin or limited their mcona. 
" If tho candidoiteB for holy orders, " says Cardinal Nowmoji, 
'' faav8 a vocation for tho strict disciplino of religious life, and 
are capable of asfliroilating the infittuction needed for the 
priesthood, tbey may in course of time rist^ to 511 the higb«8t 
{>ositious of honour and r^sponnibiUty she has to bestow." 

The Benedictine rule allows parentfl to offer their cbildrsa 
under the age of fourteen either to become lay «tudt^t«, 
cloistered monks, or to be trained for the priesthood. Bsnzo 
anil hin wifr tlierefciro availed theinjwives of thitt [M?mkuuion, 
and mado arrangeuiEiDts for placing Hildobrand undtT 
tho care of his uncle, the Abbot of the mons^tery of Our 
Lady. 

On the Daoruicg of his eighth birthday hi9 parcot« 
led him by the hand from (ho house in which ha wns 
born, down the tortucus and narrow etrcots which would 
never more echo bia pattering footstcp§. On he went 
in the brilliant sunshine through the ricli valleys and dales 
of his native land into unknown places upon whicli his won- 
dering gace hod never before rested. Gaily he tripped along 
at BenEo'a aide, and joyously pnittlcd of the pleasntablA 
aaticipatiODB of hlA now life. 

His mother, whose bcait was heavy nt the thought of tho 
DOor parting, hung upon every word which fell Irom the ro^ 
Upfl of bcr <]arliiLg tfon. She .li^hcd nit tihc remembered that 
DO more would his silvery voice make melody in ber car and 
charm away the monotony imd fatigue of her daily hou.fohold 
duties. 

This first journey of the little Hildubrand wila long and 
toilsome, hut his sweet nature found no reliof in complaint, 
though bin tongue wu£ \enA zietive and hts .ntcp U-Wi elantie (T» 
ho readied the slnpcK of the Aventioe Hill Upon which tha 
moDoatery wua sitnat^d. 




L 



Youth of Hildebrand 

The Abbot, a Idarned «uid ctenU« niftn. awaited hie Dftph«v'A 
eomicg, and tho gntM wvniag quickly baolc at the approBCk 
of the future Pontitf, who r«flponded with the UD'^ktrntpH affec* 
ti^m of childhood to tlio wclccmiinjr erohruces of Ki» micl^. 

When tha visitors had somewhat recovered Frotn ihw 
faiigvo the Ahbct led the wsy to the chapvl In wldcli tlii? 
brethren were a«tieiiihled, and tl^ere, At ihe Tout of the nltar, 
the little Hildobrauti , like SniTitiel of old, WUA solemnly dedi- 
cated to the vorvice of Ocd. 

It was a eilont home to which Bcozo and his vifo returned 
<ni that/IU day of their child, but they would not allow it 
to b»ooil« ft sad on*. They had made the sacrifice willingly, 
«nd were comfiirt^ by ihca thou^^ht that they hod ''cobtM- 
cnkt«d the gift to the Oiver." 

Tlie youjig uovice, thus early withdrawn from p&rentftl 
cootrol, aoivn bocame &bAorbed m the light duties oAsigDcd 
bito, and bis teachers were ao tender jutd kind to their charge 
that tho remainder of hia childhood was speot la a " vcritftble 
AtnKMphcre of love." 

Ero long he Jc&raed to oonform to the rules of the Onier 
in which he wae bo be cnroJIod. At the first aound of thi3 
iDAtitia boll be lightly epran^; from his hard bed, aod, like the 
bUds, " ia Wftrbled notes or hallowed Uyet " tang to the prai»0 
of his Cr^ntcr. As he ji^ew older be wfte permitted to tak** 
part in the ai?rviceH of the chapel He followed ilu* Imt^ of 
itKmks as "they glided noiselesely by the bare wall of th«t 
dniatcf', leoiViiig iha loiddle B|iiieis fur tltn Abbot Hud ttuvh 
picas Tuitors as wished to devote the first hours of the new 
dAytoQod"' 

In those days Itome was essentially the centre of Chrifltiftn 
Uioo^ht, and thither the hearts of all men were turned. 
Happy were tho pil^ms, remarks a saintly CftrdinnI, who, 
rvgatdlcfla of aj^e or rank, enjoyed the priTtlcKe of visiting 
the tteftt of Catholic authority and of receiving the bleedug of 
Cbriefs Vicar on carlh 

The DkooAstery of Our Lady wn^ a noted one, and many 





. ID 

] 



MatUdap Countess of Tuscany 

travcHors to ihd city, including Gardin&ls. Biahops, Abbotit 
Prior? and monkit, from for^^ign lands aviulrxl tliotnticlvcA o{ 
the rest and gboibor atTordod by tho hoApiUible BoD«diotiD«&. 

Drawn thitticr by thci peaceful life of laeditation oiLd 
rdtiremeDt from the cores of the world CAmo Btatoemei:. 
wurior^, noblua and mfimbera of princely fantUies, tmd ftmong 
these reprwentativea of ali ranks of society HildebrnTid s 
his unrly yeam. 

Hft wei^tqnietly in and out among that mixed ftsi^e 
hiH pale face and sparJi, tboti^h erect and well-fornied< ft 
interesting tho vimtora upon whom be was depDLed to w 
Tbo retention of this olf;ce. generally delegated to elderly and 
oxpericDced brethren, is a t&stin^ony to the tni5t reposed in 
the yonn^ novice whose retiring manucra and mod 
demeanour won for him the golden opinions of all, 

Altlwugh silence was much obeorved in the cloistc*rti of 
fid&odict, tho rulo was relascd in Favour of the gncete, wb 
Availod themselves of the pnvil«g8 and frequently addroiuod 
their shy Attendant. 

Bildcbrund, tbongh never courting atti^ntion, n&a catu 
ohscrviLnt. From hie habit of mating thi^ coniveT^ati 
and courtly bearing of Lhe aUangers "he learnc^l In tj 
to acquira that concilititory hf-Anng, and tlist ontiq' 
tiouteay" by which he won afterwards bo emiuenlly di 
tdn^ishcdn 

AmoniT ihoae who freqaontly camo to the Aventino H 
rctroat wait the Abbot of tho moniuttury of Cluny, wliicb hftd 
been cstabiiehcd in France, and belonged to thd vaixiq Q 
as that of Monte Caatiino founds m 52^ by St Buu^dict. 

Hildebrand's willingness to serve, his affectionate nat 
and brtghtneds of temperament, appealed Co Ibo holy 
who grew to love tlie child with an intenqity that ne 
l(.<aiieni?d. The darkt earneinit eyes of the future Ponti 
lighted with pleasure wht^ncver the Abbot noticed 
prcM:ncG or met hiH ^xe, and bvtweeu tho two, in Eipito oft' 
disparity of yooTs, tboro sprang up a friendship that d 
alone interrupted. 

10 




Hildebrand a Student 

Notii^ tKe hoj*9 rangienewi ot purpose imd fleLf-rft4traint« 
qu&litico AC unusual at that &ge and wliicb gave promise of 
intellectual power, the Abb^t dt^^irod to devetop [iildi^brtuid'ft 
latent talcDt, Ho cOQAuItod Iho qdcIo aa to the foUirc 
of hin acplicw, and obtainoi perroidatoQ to carry him to 
Jtasc* m order that ho might be under hid peraooal 
eharge. 

The raffiAiDtng y^Ara of boybocid wer« therefore upeut at 
Clony, vrber«> und^-r tbe strict diHcipliiiv obBurveJ at Uie 
mmnWiHUiry, unci grridcN} by his pntieat teiutbers, tli<i yoiitig 
monk Hertiiunly di»vuted biuuielf to atudy^ The mottu uC lUe 
BmMlietinca i« ''labour and prayv^r," nnd tliv tivcit of tho 
fatethreu were dlatiuguiahed by "% beautiful ouiou of 
mligtooa Icartung and labour" '* Eschewing all ULloncin," 
Hildebrftad'B youth paaeed rapidly away. Each day bronglit 
ha own allotted taeks, whi«ii vrerc faithfully complotDd cro 
tbo weary hc«d aought ita w«ll-aarni>d r«poec oil tlio hurd but 
velooBw pillow. 

Hii time wa^ spent la a Cdaael^aa round of dilU^a, and w&fl 
divided betw^n '^moditiition, study, reading, writing, traDsIa- 
tlon of accient lit^ratnre, and artistic iUnniimaiion of manu- 
acriptii uui parcbnirnlx" 

To rtOievt- th^^^K* Diultiifarious demands upon hia bram, hia 
mind wa« diverted by agncuHuntl ond varioTis oth^r kinds 
of "*»""*! labour which took hiiu for six i-r Aev«Mt lumrB d&!1y 
into the open air. lie appoan« to have had but little IfUuro 
lor rMre^tion or Icr the rest which nature demands during 
th€ period of youth. 

So exemplary waa the conduct of the student and so 
axtnu>rdinary his CA|>acity for ItiorDiu^, that the Abbot, when 
apuakin;; of hi^ ebarge, dasoribad hiTo in the words of Holy 
Writ: "Thin ehlld aball be great before Ute Lord" 

Th«re ia ootbin;; authontie related of the early manhood 
of tliA yonn^ mtmk except bia promotion to the ofEee of 
flnb- Prior. 

At tbi^ a^ of thirty-one Uilde^jrand Inft the iuona«t«ry m 
tbo onpaeity of chaplain to John Gratian* bis patron, who 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



n 



lud botn docbed bo the Papnl throue ii&der ilie title of 
QrtgoryVI. 

Tvro years later Grcf^ory waaconapelled to resi^ in favour 
of tho ArehbUhcp of BromcD, Chancellor to the Emporor 
HoDry IL 

Hildo^raDd, who hod the f^r^ftteat aff'cctton for his '' lord 
and tn&at«r/' as he termed him, followed him into ejcila. and 
ISnAlly retired with hjin to C\nny, whera the FoDtilf eud0^_ 
his dayB. ^| 

AlKiiit thiM time the govercuieub of Cluny wns undergoing 
a change. A young monk had so gained the ftdniiratioa lutd 
raapcct of tlie coinmunity by " his admimblti bearing, 
obedienco, chanty, aweetncss, pnidencc' and zeal,'' that though 
ho w&s only tw<int7'l]vc yc&ra of age be waa cboecn to be 
their head. Thi^ was Hugo, *' renowned above ckll other 
Abbots for hia piety and virtue," for wbiah tw*^lvt» year« after 
hi^ death ho woq canonised. Of noble appevanco and 
pTiccely boarmg, the new Abbot l«d au ^uulorfS life, tihuriiijp 
the humble fare and the laboatg of hie brethren even to 
" washing tho beans in the kitchen." So tender was fae of 
tho infirm or irery young monies, that for th^ir snke^ hi 
extendod the iionventnal allowance of food aa much aa 
possible, even permitting fowl8 to form pari of tlie diet. 
11q hiuinulf, however, ob.sorved a perpetual abstinence and 
nbrictly followed the role of St Benedicb* which allowed w tho 
ddHy JiKmu. one pound of bread and two cooked diatkes of fr^A 
•gga, cheese^ roots or vegetables.' 

On one oooaHi:>n the monastery was visited by St Pct«r 
Damian, who was much shocked at the quality and quantity 
►jf Uio food which woa placed before him in the refectory. 
Calling the Abbot a«ide> thin etem dUcipHuariao commented 
iOTtrrely upon the extravagance of using grease with the 
vegetjiblea I 

In this peaceful retreat under the gentle Hugo, Hildebracd'a 
ywm paosed swiftly and uueveutfully away, and at €mi 
tifaero wtu Dothiitg tu ludiukte that he waa distiuguiahod ij 

1 Dean CbnrahH 



L 






Hildebrand at Cluny 

any partimilar abovo hie fellows. But oa time rolled oo, hm 
BUMive ioUlIcct towttred over hie brethren, whom ho fur 
■nrpttssed id kooirlecl^e. and his firm gr&sp of logic threatened 
to riv»l tbst of Iiin rvligious saperiora, 

Dirt«cl^ by the ex\M PodtifT. he pursued with nwidnQtu 
pattericK aiitl »5ul Hi^wrif tltifniry, Uicologicjil And philosa|>hical 
rcocorchca. His arvKpariog uf1brt« wore eventually crowned 
Tith ao aif^nal a aQcccna that hft wu regarded aa one of the 
most noted etudcGto of the age. 

Nor was hia influenoe cooiiDed to th« tcouftatie pretuncts, 
for OTca in tboM d*y9 when ncwa travelled bat alowly, the 
bmo of hia fi&ncbity. auatenty and l^arains become wide- 
spread. Hildebnmd, how«vor, in hij4 modcnty and diuliko of 
ortentation, kept hims<<]f aa muoh afi po»aibIe withdrawn from 
publio Doti«e. 

A man poaaeaaing anch mental c&paeity conM not long 
nsuaiu hiddrn. The Siit>-Pric>r, though much n^ainnt, bin 
iadinabion, was oft«n forced to [eave his retireiuent and go on 
lamiVnfi in conn^tiou with the goventment of the monaAlcry. 
E M toti a l iy waa thia the case when both tenaeity and 
diplomatic ftkiU were rexiuired to ensure tbcir ultimate 



Bia clear ioaight mio the workings and crav)ng:a of the 
bomao h<^art found oxproMion in tender and paaeionate 
appeala to the bijfher nature and fiuaceptihiliti^B of man^ 
"which overflowed in hia di«ccurf*<j8 and caused them to be 
•igerly sought after." 

Hildeliratid Kpoko with gTaouful ease and in a eooorcnv 
Toioo, and so rvuiarkahte were hii§ oratt^rical ixjwers that 
the Lbootogianv of thu day cams from ull [jarta of the world 
to boar him. 

Captivated not no much by his fertility of imagination aa 
by faia depth of knowledge, which compelled the response of 
Ifaoir intelleot, Uiey yielded a ready atti^ntion. Wc are tcld 
thai h£e hearers would sit unwearied for iioure to listen to hia 
rich and t^cotous How of laoxQ'Mf ^^ 

Ha ia deacribed a« bein^ ''fall of yonthful ardoor, hia 
-^ U 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

pierciQ^ block ojc« appixvrod oa if aniraAte^l by tho t 
JnapiriLlioaT Abd Ms severe look seemed to pcnotralo tb* 
OOOBciei^ces of men itnd to be &b1e to diacover what wig 
foJthlesB or drtubtfnl tbere." The Emperor hink^lf, to wIuma 
Conrt Hildebroiicl was ^wnt on an embA^sy, wt erttrAnc^ed by 
tl)f! ze&l &nd pathos of his serinoiu^ The inoniLrvli, carriivl 
away by hia jwImJration of *uub reaistlesfl olnquence, riitm&rktfl 
to tho EmpruBH that he had *' uevor hc&nl noyone wfa^ 
preached so boldly the Word of Qod/' jH 

In 1046. while Hildehtftad. then hi hie thirty-fourlh yt^t^ 
w*3 etill at Cluny, Henry 111,, Kmg of Germany, wa^ crowned 
ftt Homa OD tho vory day that his Chancellor received the 
tiara lutd ascended the pontificA,! throne under tbci title of 
Clement II. 

Sc&reely b^d the EmperormaU theponip and glory of hi« 
new di^tty returnerl to Oenc&ny when a rival power arose 
in the country lio hod Just <|uittLHl, A new em wu 
commenced imfl a fiworil nDaheatbed whieh was to tura jte 
edge iipfHi the imperial throne and loosen ite hold upon It*ly 
for ever 

In one of the most pictureeque provinces of Tuscany to the 
Boutb^wost of Rcggio, fi^m whkh Jt waa About fifteen luitea' 
jonmey, stowl the fumoua Castle of Cnnoesa, round the foot 
of which tho littJe village nestled troetingiy under ite shodov 
as if seeking tho proteotioai of ibe tall and powerful 
neighbour. 

The stronghold, grand and stem in itA rotitudo, tom 
majeaticftUy from the rocky base, of which one eido only wai 
aoc4Mibl«; it cntwn^ ^^ hr-ight commanding n vast prospect, 
beyond which lay Uie rich and suncy plaina of Lombardyon 
the ntirtli, and on thb nutiLh a rnagniliceot vimv of the 
Aj>eunmca> 

The fortreea. endowed within three stone walls, two of 
which w«r« connected by a bridge, wac secure is ita 8tr«ngUi 
and ponition, and defied any hostile attempta to pooctrale 
within its mft6Bivo ^atce. This imprc^able fortress WAJ 
bnilt early in the tenth century by Count Ajceo " of martial 

U 




Canossa 



lo^mory, the foosder oi tbe hoase aud th« Achillea of tho 
family." 

T1l«? Af|ve»tQrB3 fyf this mighty warrior liave been tiAnd«>r] 
<]owD with the KaIo of romnnnn wiLh wliich irjiditioji Ua^ 
vnrrcjanded Utem fuid form the hoAb of uiftny % tLriUukic 
story. " Azzo," sings tbt^ poet chroQiclcr in hia pet^onifi cation 
of tic mighty Contle, "waa cverjrtihiug ftt Cauoaaai Aszo 
moluplied my tower? and elevated my vftlla ti3 far m ibo 
■ky. Was it not by m*i ho becaTue rich, by me he booame 
rich tktid powerfal, by mo that uvi^rythiiig camo to him f It 
WA8 tiicn Dotaral that ali he had oonqtiered of beauty, of rare 
virtue, ca«qii«B, anDocr, br^&8t-plat«^, bAtlle^ases and aworda 
ihould Kcrvi? to onmnient my vast ball!*.'* ^ 

In Canossa was bom to Ax/o hia hoir who married the 
Muter of Hugh Citpot. Khtg iJ FraucH. Th«y liad but out; 
OOD. Booifacc* who, though less rcDtJwncd thau hla Aires, 
bocaioc equally celebrated for hiA opcn-hotidnd hospitality. 
Oia princely deportic«Dt asd bis laviflh expunditure, which by 
m wwi adminifftratioQ of hia immcmie estate doea not appear 
to have atfoctod his revcDUo, won for him Iho titlt> oE " Man- 
nUiCK^at." The rulcm of tbo udjuconb provinces, however 
«nvioU£ they may have h^en of hia fortunes, were coiiaider 
ably tiopreaftttd by bis graQdeur and power, and j>aid hitn 
almoet r^j^al respect. 

To th« Coatle, fifter his father's death, Bonifaoe brougbt 
hu young And Vtt^ntiM hride, BeRtrira of Lorraine, n princess 
rclatnt by cloae lioi to the imperial fuTnily and to th« Frvticb 
nDoarcb- 

In 10i4 ibe walls of the grim fortress echoed th« fe«!bl« 
lalaDtiiie erica of the hoir which hjid l>ecn bora to the estates 
df Boniface. 

Great woa the Uan^ruvo'e joy at the event which woo, aa 
h« believed, to perpetuate hia race, and many toa«t« were 
draok by the dou^'hty knight and hia frlcnda to the he^th 
Attd future renown of the little Frederic. 

Two ycdUK lat«r there wna a daughter added to Uie 



rj? 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscaay 

family, a child whose history becftmo so full of incident 

romance, Ihnt Ha relation fiavours wore oC le^nd tbA& 

actral e^periencev 

An^etm B&dagius, Bishop of Lucca, bftpttz^ th« infi 

jind bestowed (ipon her the Dam« cf Mntilda, which her 

parents h&d cliosen and which die was to render world- 

reuowtied. 

The Princcae grew aod thrived, breathijig the soft nir of 

her native land, Jtnd with it tha.t love of Italy which becauia 

to her A3 e^BCEitiA] mi hfc itj^clf 

Slie ia deaoi-rbod us "a buautiCut child of the royal rao^ 

aho was of the raca of tho roasbora of tho woHd." ' ^| 

Tlie little maiden proved a worthy desc«nd!wt of the 
iUustrioiw line of warriors, frotn whom she inherited her 

datintless courage, and her fame as ^*The Oreftt Conntefle" 
has siirvivfid har for OL^arly eight tenturies. ^M 

Btiatriou was a wise nnd teniler pureiit, and Matilda, wlfV 
her brother, l«d a free and happy life in blissful ignortuLce 
of tho fiiLure. and with no sorrow to throw a cloud ovv^r the 
eunshinc of their childhood. 

One of their greatest pleaaurefi was to read on holy dayi 
to their mother ont of her nchiy-omnnient^^d Psalter. Thid 
book, though beautifully illuminatod, could not be compAned 
to that frotD which tho mother of Bruno, Count of Hapsbur^,' 
had taught her little eon, and " the contents of which he hod 
found it so hard to roaster." The children had seen that now 
historic? volume which was " interlined in letters of gold and 
anrich4fd with gold and silver plates and precious abones." 
So much wert; the wurds of Holy Writ valued in those daya 
before printing multiplied the copies and brought thcu 
Viihin the reach of all. that artists devoted their talenta to 
embellish the portions of which they wore the fortuottte 
posEwasorfi. 

The Ibatian langungo, interwoven afi it was with her own 
Tiucan tongue, presented no dilEeultieia to Matilda. Every 
mormngfthe stood with her brother by the side of Beatrioe 

■ Duniup. * Aft«nvanip Leo IX 

|6 



Childhood of Matilda 



and roftd or »ciC<td to bor from Tke Booh of Hymna for 
Jhwry ikty^ Thuc bcfkotifnl pocmn wcr^ ccmpOBed 
by Prudontins, tho Spaniard, who livod iu the Eourth contiiry 
fljld wu oetecic<rd ne onu of tho roost Icaraod mon oF hin tiin^. 
Tbt byma^* Arranged for daily devotion, have been tb« 
flolaee of ChristfauA for inoru thiw Gfteen c^ntoriQa, and 
•DBM of them jtre not unknown even at the preset 
day. 

Mfttalda nlno rpcoived daiij^ inatniction in the tenebt of 
L*r fmtlj, ami reli^uri was mj early instilled into lior htact 
thai it foraiod the maiDApring af her life and actions. 

The CAtbcHc Church seeka by a never-ending rouud of 
flcrrioMto keep alive the devotional Bpiritof hei Dunkorc^un 
€tlildr«D m all parts of the world. Matilda coxdd not, antbc 
chrooicler rcminda ua, paeEi a doy and Bcarcely an boar with- 
out having hor thoughta recalled by the inonaetic bolls which 
at iftAtod tiEaea Bumtnob^d the faithful to pr&yer and by the 
daily maAs in the Cofltlo obApol at whioh Donizo the family 
chaplain ol11dat<*d, The little inA]dt?D rellgionsly ntt^^ndufl 
the cereniouiikU ohu^i^rvud ou Suudnys iind tho uiauy holy 
day« of tbp Ohitrch. She foTtowed the solemn rittuil with a 
devotion atid nlteEitton that proved her to be a child of kc^en 
percepiion mud r^'lleclivi^ mind. 

Od Palm Sunday* Matildit and her brother were taken 
to tbc c&tbcdral at Lacca* where pnlms were ble^^ned Jind din- 
tribatod while tho choir sang of the Cliiidron of Israel on- 
CATopcd tind<tr the palm trees at Elim- They followed with 
intoneCod gaso tbe lon|^ line of naonka vho fornood into pro- 
coi^OQ and paved out of tho bailding bearing grucefuily- 
wavinfr palms id remembrance of our Lord's triumphal entry 
into Jortiiatofn. In dcnth-Hk^? nilimee they listened to the 
C^ice- repeated knocks made with the cross on the rli}^ (]oor 
whic-h vraa Lhf!n thmwri cipi^n "and all entered sinking the 
praisev oi our Saviour God."' 

Witb moro lasting fervour than had the acclaiming 

* "By itiiji iTUkbohcal xct i* ngmficd ihc opcniag of the i^i^Ue of 
Hcarea hj ih« death ot our Lcird on the Crew, 
B 17 




Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 

€rowd in thu Holy City, Matiltlft joinciJ her nilvflry treble to 
tho <Joep sQuoroua toaes of the black-robed brethr«u as the; 
chADted the &nbiphoD9 of the day. 

During the year there voro froquoni procesfiions thtiotl|;h' 
the prettily 'd<)oorat<>d etroeU and hamlets of INiscAny. 
In the^ oiit-of-docit perambuEationa the little m&idea 
took active part with th^ childreu of the towns and village! 
belonging to the marquisate. 

On Saint Mark's Day took place the proceasioD ingtituted 
by Ore^ry the Great, and divided hy hm rlirection into eeven 
parttt, ill Ute lanb of wKidi wnlked the children of tlie diootise^ 
Mntildn find her brother funning a portioD of the infantiEe 
group. 

Another ceremony at which they osatated was that of the 
annual prte«ntatioD of the olives and gr^^pe^ for which the 
Tuscan prorineea were renowned. The.3e first fruits toaie- 
fully arron^d by Ute Coant«aa in baAkcta ^aily decked with 
gorlaDde of vine leaves were carried by the children to the 
altar n^h, where they wi^re asparged > au<l bleescd la th« 
niuni^ of the Boimtifal Giver, 

Similar processions to the churebes were made at variona 
Utni^ for bTeaj4]og the bcllu, and blsaaiiig the oil to Im burn«J 
in the ehurch lampri which hung alight night and day before 
thd aJtara^ nnd niAiiy like Deremniiiea. 

Pbrbapa Matilda loved best the aumvernary of tJie Feaot 
of 8t Agnee> since it invclved the Icng and irkfiome, but', to 
the children, highly aiciting and intoroatiug journey to Kome. 
Tha Eternal City, with ite wonderful buildings and mcnii- 
meata on all aides, was an overwhelming viaion to the litUe 
QCnntry-bred princees^ who soon wearied of the crowds nnd 
bmtle she everywhere encountered. What a relief it wa« to 
the child to etep from the gUriug etreuts aud thi> noiae of the 
gay capital into the calm grandeur of the palooa w 
dwelt the Vicar of ChriaL 



I 



"m 



'The QKntt; asperi^M ia tftkon from the I^tin CTaFiiiDCDceiDelit"«*perfe« 
nic'^r iboPuim. '^Thourfiait waah me^^otCpk whicU precede* tlieoete- 
m^-nf of ffpriakliiig with \ii>\y wiUrr^ 



iR 



J 



Boniface of Tuscany 



Tomug &A aim vrui akia foU bin utiluenre, &tid lier face 
floalieii with pk'wntro irhon eh« Aacoantered ih^ g^^^ ^ tliir 
•aintljr L«o, whom nho h^d Ijceti taught to nverc fte the 
Head of Ui<; Oharch, 

A« be slowJy pofloed through the kuc'eltoe multiit]<lo ou 
hid way to tho Church oE ^t Agitcd eho foHovoi tbo example 
of lbo«o ATooad h«r ftnd rorercnUy bow^ her d&rk little 
h«id to fMdve bis ftfo«toHc blowing. 

Tbe Tumah TiBitcre Lftd oonto to vitneaa the oereiDonial 
of the prafieoCatiun of two upotlom Iftmba, which wvr« oti tb<t 
Fviiui of 8t Agrjea presected al thd aliar during tli« ^mgiog 
of th« ^^114 Dei 

With cogflT int«rv8t Matild^i saw Uj^di. aft«r the B6rvii», 
giveo into the (ihArgo of cJin nuriN, vrho wtniUl wnjbvr from 
their wool, banda. which were afttitwarda placed all ni^ht 
ipon 8t I'cter'a oltAr. Tbmt were the pAlHuin« which were 
ftftorwftrds to b« aeot by tlu Pope to the Future priui&iea to 
be worn aa a7mboHc*L of th«ir siKred office. 

Tho warlike cuatomri and reatlc«6n60fl peeuliar to th<^ 
tiffl^e did not allow a prince to npcnd mQcb of hia time in hi$ 
home. Booifaca. occupied aa he waa with the affaire of hu 
narqiUBato and «E&gro(M«d witli his fftvotint^^ vport of buntiufri 
which with hiiD amoUDted to a paafiion, saw bm little of hit 
family. Vhe MAr^rrave waa a roan of wnnii affeetiona, d#- 
Tot4id to hifl wif^. th* regal 1)eatrie«» imil |iroiid of hii 
ciiildren, Jii wboro he syiw mflniul refli^ciiaiiM uf hi^i fonucrr 
idf Hia little daughter waa bis Idol, and he loved to look 
Qp<iD her tkanicHtf up^turtif^d fnoo with its wicRume amile and 
trace therein the rc^Iar f«atun^i cf her motbor. " Hot tall 
form and the iwrdour oi itnlion blood," ea^'a tho family 
ehrooider, ""flhe doHved frota her futhor/' together with 
thai fearlesBDcee of diapoaitiou whiob reminded Boniface cf 
hit own childhood an<l ftlTOTded a striking coutriurt to btrr 
motber'a «hriuking nature. 

Thi^ liberality of thif Margravo waji rejiowD«d throQgbout 
Italy. Tlie lordly portala of Canoaaa, ao formidable to iU 
aoemim, wnn*. thmwn open tn aJI who cawe with friendly 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

intont^ No one woa vefumvd adinlB^ion. BonifatK the Mn^' 
Dificent well deserved his title. He recoiverJ weary tr^vellera 
^ho bad cluube>i the steep oacetit to Mb fortret^ with ft 
;^eoBrouH kimJnew* that htit^im? proverhial. Tlie peraunal 
atbentiocie bestowed upoD tlie needs of wA^fM^d^a by hiuiA^lf 
&cd hm famiJy vrere, we arcr told. "tt.lmaat ccnventuaJ." Hia 
muniliceDt diapUys of open-hn-tidcd hoeipitaJity wer^ evcD in 
those days of extrorvagatico anrivallod in tbtJr sploodour. «id 
werfi dLotin^tshed by a. roKnDinont yctmof^ rarc^ Ho bail^ 
irilh boiet^roua domonatratioDa of weloomQ the adv«Dt of 
knightly rlsitc^rs with their brilUaiit trains, with whom lie 
not trnfreqnently made eiccursioa^ in search of game, for 
Bonifaee, as ho^ }w*m already remnrked, was an ardent lover H 
of Uie oharfe. 

Oil the Dtlier lianU Beatrice eatx^iiraged the presence of 
thoB<3 whoBe iDt^llectitttl eitdowmiiDtfi " formed a wholesome 
and pleofliiig reBtramb upon the more reckless of hnr htiJfl>aD<t'a 

Sometimes tho children of the family w6r« allowed to bo 
prcisontat the^o gatherings* bub very seldom, for theconvcreo- 
tiOQ w&ti not always suitable For childish uarEi. Matilda, 
who poaaoaysd a lively irmigination, listen^ with mudoal 
apprtiei^tiou to tb^ songs and poetic rocitalij of the trueetiS 
who sougtit boapitality at the Caatle. With ready ear and 
kindling eye ahe heard their accounts of stirring deeda of 
vftlniir, tif sieges, battles, victcries over aliuost rnhuIoiiH 
uumbern* nnd mtber galUut and oFbcc] itiipoHMble adventuj^s. 
When, M it geriernlly happened oa these festive occnsian^, tho 
Margrave rci^O'iled the wirlikc scenes througb which lie had 
paaaed, hia littlo daughter at his feet was ciblivioua of aught 
qIsc. Sbe sat cubrancod, watching the vaiying cmobiona 
whicb afTected him during tho recnpi tula lion of tlioao tales ol 
heroism. Nurtured in thi? traditions of her rac&, ahclov^ 
b«et to hear th<r stories of her grandsire'e exploitA How hv 
took pity on the yonrhfol widow Ad elaide* the botrotliod bride 
of Otto the Great, aud whose name " i« found iq the calendar 
cf saints and ia honoured in many churches.*' How Ako 



I 



so 



J 



Exploits of Azzo 



rel^ftsod her from prisoti where ahe had aiifl«red the greatest 
lMrd«hipfl and iodi^ities, ruid dolivcrisg ber from hor per- 
aeeDtora carried h«r oG to the caro of his ^vJCo in bia CoGtle 
At Caoooaa, Row the CiatZe wn© ^termed by the tiorc© 
pareQ«ra to whom Azzo refiMed to give up the wetping Queen. 
How the yonn^ nnd hiindeonie Emperor, "^Lrriving iti hot 
hast^r wafi un&ble to release hia bride- How he sent 
iiMaaagcs of love and promises of n-Hef in letters fiutt^nod to 
arrows which, with truthful aim, he shut over the heads of 
thn twsir^rs isio her wiTidow in the tower. Tlaw, in thiit 
aame chaiuher in which M&tilda woe bora aud ^hich wa^ her 
own bedroom now, the Queext waiUh! fur au opportuaity of 
escape, trusting to Uic ohivaJroua boDOur of Also to defend 
her duricf; the lenj^thy obaenoo of the Emperifr. How ths 
barred gat<>» of the CaAtIc were oftcrwardfi thrown open, and 
fthtt who h&d entered its walls ''as a desolate fugitive quitted 
them the boids of ODe of the greatcEt aad nobteBt EiR]iarora 
that ever occupl^ the throne of Germany." 

Habituated to Kcene^^ of peril himself, Boi>ifaee, by theae 
aarrutivea, ioBtiUed loto his cblldren^i^ uiindH that diitregarJ <jf 
danger which was chnraL-Uirietic of his ruee and which in 
aftsr yean aerved MutLlda in hut^h guod btt^ud. 

Tb* Margravt! Uiok pcrsoual interest in teachiDg hia 
little dthUghter to ride, and she early learned to have an 
Qpright seat n&d to man^i^ her pony 'with praee and akill. 
The actire child «iili<rod with eoet into iho martial tratniug 
of her brother, and even took part in the Bword cxercisce, 
in which, aocordint; to the coBtom of the day, Boniface 
eodoavoured to make hitt ion au adopt. 

The d6ect of this phyaic«l culture waa to render the 
body of Matilda robust and inured to fati^e, and to deveIo[> 
that intr^idity of upirit for which she becaiuti riiraark- 
ahh-. 

Dnriog the gnnt^ftr part of the year the OaMtIo wan 
dcacrtcd and the family ftoo^ht shelter frcm the tierce rays 
o( the Italian »^m in the leafy ehadee of Lucca. In thio 
beaQtifal Toscao city, which waa also the eeat oE % 

it 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



bllkopHo,^ BeAtriCB hftd her favounb^ reaideQce. &Dd in her 
palftco vru culEected sucli rich smd r&re ireobsurcs of art ma 
w«re thdD knowQ. 

Mntilda'A forefathers, though they thought lightly of 
hu£aan life und were aomewtif^t caret'e^ in ih^ practice of 
their religiort, were, on the whole, pious men. and the chnixhoA 
ftud monaatcrits eructod by them in various porta of IHiscmiy 
teetitied to thoir davotion to tho Holy See, 

During th^lr eojoura in Lucoa the childr^a loved Co fro 
into these edificeB, of which there were fleverol in tlte ciiy, 
And to visit the bombs containinff th? reiraina of their 
AiieuBtore. Not many of these martini chiofft hnd died in 
thfitLr beds or of the infirmities peculinr to AdvAoced age^ 
Not a few of the trD[>liies with wliioJi Ui« htiildiiign were 
enriched were aouveuira of the battleticlJ& upou which tho 
Wftrriors had fallen, They wiahed for no other fate than to 
breathe oab their \a»i coiisoUd by the CDioidtr&tiona of the 
Chnrch and with ahoaU of victory borne upoa the air lo 
their earti ae they lay dying. 

But there were brighter 6ccnon thim thcw upon vhidt 
Matilda could gaze^ Sceuea which were more suited for ber 
childit^h thoughte to rest upovi, Cor Nitture hod been vety 
bountiful in ber gifts lo Tuscany and efipeeially to 
Lucca. 

Before her lay the wouderfnl panorania of the Apenninea 
in all their beauty^ and the Monte Ouilano which Dant« 
dencribeit aa prevuutiDg tho bsvo dties of LcitrcA AJid Pisa, 
which formed part of tlie marquisate, Ctc^m seeing each other 
although they arc hut a ft^w miles apart. "A delicioun 
cUmiite there, ' remarkn Mr Alison in his Huti&rij of Europe 
"brings the Hneet fruits to maturity, the grapes hang in 
fcetooos from tree to tree, thT> aong of the nightingale ia 
heard in overy grove, nl) nature socnie t^ reji^iee in the 
parndiae." " Wher« " »aya imothcr writer, *'all honnoniAoe 

■ It V Jbcurioai nutaocc of the catorpriamff n^turo of th# Iriib, thit 
■A «ftrl/ ^ tb? Hrenth ecbturj- & buUj<a wa» ci-oatod in m«niorv of 
ProiiAi^(>» ton of Ui Irhh king who wnachcooD Binhop of Luoca ia gSo, a 
3vc whi<h li« r«l&iaod for uigntfua 7«an> 



I 




Early Characteristics 



with tbe clear blae sky, its onw^ groves, its fore«tfl of 
chuc&QUtK mv\ ptdm*, of olives mid of almonds/' 

Tbe diildran w&Qiered with all tlie feArleiwnees ot ^ontli 
ftiniil&L the bfiuiUtti oF Natiirc id its graudeat fonnH. TUvy 
gftuiboUod by the ^dea of avrif t-ruumug dtre&iuA wtiicb ihtj 
fptily eodi^vourcJ tn onUtrip m npecd. Or thcjr ^ADg to iha 
nojBc of the gently- fall ing ca^cftdes and mmgW thoir voicca 
with tbo ro*r of the moimtAin torronta. Qfttbering inld 
ficywQCB m tbe woode. tho 6ir of which woa laden with the 
ddlieato perfamo of the lovely blosaoma, waa im intenao joy 
to th«s« fortuiiAU little Toscana. Their love for naturo 
fomd T«Dt in Bonj^ which joioed the melodious wtir1>Unj:;» 
of tlitt bmln who flitted blithely from tree to tree over the 
h«Mla of Afatilia a^id her brother. Tbe EUoodH flouLdd on 
liigh Fur hnynnd thr* Hunny skies, and wert^ WAftefl in fiwpet 
hanfiODy to tlie Lhrone of Qod wtuKw praises tbey es^toll^. 

Wb»t bappy days were thus sptut in sweet commtinioo 
wilhNttture, who ofHaied to their wondering eyes bcr secrete of 
plant MOid ia»cct Ufo» Before them Iaj scenery diversitied and 
enriefaed by al) tbe vanaticua poculiax to their native bukd^ 
tnoontjuna, plainfi and valley^^ rivers, streams and Jakes, ull 
eaclosed by tbe onow-oapped Alpine barrier whose lofty 
po«ka reared thenue^ves in stately guardioDship of tbe 
ehildr^in playing at their feet. Inspired with the serenity 
aixl f^r&nduur of her surroundings, MutiUIa L-arly ai^quired 
that inoAt« loT* oC tbe bftnntifal for which her wnntrymen 
ftm dintiit^ui^hbil and whi^^b eurvivad tlie troubles and 
anxieties with which her futnre was clmided. 

The PrtuccoA ib described at thin time as being a child of 
to extremely happy diepositton. whoae nattural viracity wjm 
tompeml with a gentle gravity o£ demeanour oa became her 
raalc. As thie poq)crt0 to be a history and not a romance, it 
miiBt,a]Ae1 be confoeaed that she hod inherited a toneb of that 
impenoasness which so fret^nently distinguUbeg those of 
ftrong wilU and wlio are bom to comiriAnd. 

Beatrice, who was as clever &e she woe pious and 
bvantifnlt dnw to her Court Die mcwt profound Bcbolan and 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

tbeotoi^fuifl of the day, And these visitors book great intei 
in Matilda and inapired her with tha>t t&slc £or learoiog 
which hA8 rendered her hauki f&mousp 

By thosD meutiEi and ntider thene gentle and eonol^Ung; 
influ^Dces were laid the laolid fooodatioa of the charftoter of 
the young Pr]i]oes& While Europe was a LheaLre oF strife 
And tormoil, there^ in the heart of Itiily, was being reared in 
(liriiitiai] precepts a patriot who waa to be the raeaoa of restor- 
ing liln^rty to the Church and of Becuring the independence of 
litr con u try. 



Influence of Hildebrand 



CHAPTER n 

" nistorj BFpMkmed frirtu biognphj la au iupxplitablt' Hcldlo ; for iii 
the individti&l <?liariiictjm nf mien DJid pnncoA, m r.lintr puijou*, 
in(«f««ti^ ruid £oad tud b«d pKocipIco, can &1odc ha ttmxd tli« 
■iriiifi oE tlir outwiui) und vuibk KticiMi which btHtor^ rccordHK" 
— Tttlml 

It is neceas&ry to leave for & while the record of MalUda's 
hbtorj'. vlitch vfiiA nftiirwitnln bo heciJiue so iii^pArAbly 
ioterwovcu with hia owu. to revert to Ib&l of HildeLrand- 

The prophecy uttcrcil during bis lofoncy vr»a od tha ev6 
of fcltilment. for ho was endowed by nAtur© witii thoao gifts 
whicb <]&;itiU}<] him to boocmc a loader of men. 

F^ooi hi^ cell ID the monafltvry &t Cluny he mainly 
dbieet^ ov^dU irhich intimnt-:t!y ccncornc<{ tho ^veruiueDt 
of tb» Church, uid his vvaa tho pow<-«rful intelleoc vbicb 
iufloeoced the Papal iwud Imptfrijil CoarU. *' Hi» tftlent^i and 
rirtnp*!, no lees thnn hiB remarkable erudiUnn, rendered him 
Mipetior to bin eouUjxnp*jrurioN und gave him abjwjluta power 
GT^r the rnintls and hearts of &lt with whom )ko came in 
Qootact" 

Hi* advioc wu soaght on all matters rec|uiriDg a know- 
ladge of 8tabeaman&hlp, aod " he it was." rfMiio-rlcs thd hiatori&D, 
""wba eootroUcd tho oltclion of tho foar consecutive roDtilis 
who procoded hina on tho throne cf Si Peter." 

Th«fir«tof thoeowoe Bruno, Count of Uapsburgi a relative 
ttad ChancoUor cf tho Emperor Henry III. Hv wua bom in 
Aliace, aad at a vory urly agu retired from the pUnfiures 
and diatrHCtione of Conrt life to enter upon the severe rule of 
8t Benedict 

He bocame Bishop of Tool when only twenty-four years 
old, and had governed that R«^n littln more tbau twenty-two 
years when be was obosen by Uxo Emperor at a full Synod 

as 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

eonvened e.% Woma to aaccoed to thd brief poiatiEaato 
DiuiiaBua I J. 

On bts way to Rome to be crownBd the Pope-elect p&id & 
vtaft to Ctutky^ where be cniLde the itcquaictiuiGG of Hildubrandt 
who was hn junior hy eleven year*. Pruno was so much 
impressed witli his coovors^tJOD nnc! jiBcetic lippeataocc Lhiii 
Ii6 JDvitod him U:t be his conkpunioo to the Eteroal Giiy. 
*' 1 camiofc go witli you" brieQy replied the monk. *' But wh/ 
DOi f ^ iaqixired the BLahop, ostoDished al the refusal deliv6F«l 
in a manner which appeareil disrefipectful and whtoh wnn 
altogether forci^ to the babitnal courticsy of llildcbraiid. 
'* Booause/' aaid he, " without bein^ amonicaliy inatitnled, jou 
Are going to Iny hands on the tieo of St Potor. Novor did 
Peter nor his Master E^ve to earthly mouarch tbo power ^^ 
chooao the Shepheni at the World." fl 

BrUDO was wlent at the un«ipectod rep!y which carried 
with it a coiivictioD of its truth. The rentftrk, Qttorgd with 
that iiDpresHive earnestnttaa for which Hildebrand wmji 
remarkable, opened out to the Bishop the consider rati ou of a 
questiimH the importance of which be had nveduokisd. " Hia 
ft)ul kindled at the words of the Prior^and be aaw duty by a 
uew Li^bL" Hid coEuicitfUce wa& troubled by tie id<;a that be 
bad been, withoui any apiriinal preparation, about to Hit ^ 
po&ition to which h<i bad no ri£;ht. ^ 

Dismissing hirt followers, he reirained with Hildobraad 
during the night, Ftnd the early matins boll fouod them atilL 
iu senoUH comsultation. With hi^ uiuul fertility of reiiotiroe 
the monk deviaed a plan by which the Bishop might be eleci«4 
to tbtt Papal cl>air, not merely by the Dominntioti of tbu 
Efaperor, but albo hy the free votes of the RomjiJi people 
and clerg)*. " Thus/' oounsellod Hildebrattd, " you sliaJt 
taato with a peaceful eonacieuco the joy of baving entered 
ibe fold of Jeaufl Ubrist by the door like the Good 
Shepherd, aod oot by the window like the rc^bbcr in 
Oo»pcl" 

The ne:£t morning Bruno, acting ou the advice; of 
friend, diBmittood hia attendaatd and the retiDue with which 

16 



cod 




Bruno's Humility 

tlui Emperor h&d fumiBhed him. Accompuiled only by 
Bildfrbrand h« net out from tho roonasitcrj Attirod in th« 
Hunple gsrbof & pO^im witli "sftiidAllBd fcwt, AtAiT in li&nd. 
utd ft acHp on hu ithouJdor." 

Hw croirdfl, who oiD the pi-e>iuiia«vi?ntiJ^ Iind boUiald the 
UTiTal of tlic Bifiihop with his courtly trnin of French Aod 
QcriDAii kiugbM, were waitmg in r<?acUa<^»a to witoea» hia 
^epAitore. GrA^t was their surprise. chcrcforCt to »fM> him 
ttOMirgo on foot and utiaccoTiip&Qiod except by tiic blftck-robdd 
Btti«dictiuo pnor. 

Tlw »toTy of Brocio's hamility preened him, &nd on bis 
ftrriv&] in RonM«rowdH oC excited citit'^nM Aockod to lucot the 
pilgrim nnd MOorUd him with deaicninf; plaudits to the 
ChDitih of St P«t4;r 

Brano. however, had lest the self-confidence with which 
ho hftd Bti&rtfid fit;in Qerniuny tit rot^^r iipoii hin ]HiiiUt)cal 
Cftrccr. DiA conscii^iice bad Ijecn ^outiiltid to tho i|uick by 
the tt«%ere comiucJitg of tbi; simple monk, wfio In tlmt nwer- 
UKbc-forgotten interview had comiuu mailed to him a shftf* 
of bui own cnthuManttc dcvoticin to the caiuc of the Church. 
Ho no longer con^der«d himself worthy of the ii an. and with 
a nov-bom modcaty hcnitnt^d to accept the honour which ho 
b*d before considered wit^jin hie KTiifip- 

FrovD tho pntpit he mode an tmpnesioned appi^ to the 
etti3con« And be;if^:€^, nsy, implored them to choose oD^ better 
qiuUfied by age uu<i experience to 811 th^ vac£knt throne. 

Rut Lhd people had alresdy made their deri«ian and 
nothing; he cculd urfce wunld eonvluce them of hia luifiUiUH 
Not «Tcn wh«it, with the vi«w of imprctwing his unworthi' 
npoD them, he mode & pnhtic confe^i^n of nil hm 



As tliA reTieir of hin p«flt life with all iti^ wi^akncnAnt and 
enonpuaod bcfoffo hin, for he Apofcd himeelf nothing, tbc 
niDeaibnneo wmi^ tc4kre of penitenti&l sorrow Iroxn hiat-ysa, 
ftad bifl faeamB wept m eympathy. Th«ir opinion howovcr 
rvuftiitcd unchanged, and far from re^:rettinci; tlietr ohoice 
tflay vore all the inor« determindd that i^cch courage and 

>7 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

humility lu avowing hia TauTta &hou1d have "Uio rew&H 
tho highceb plaicen" 

Brano'n ontrcaties were of do avail, and on tbo first 
Snndn^ in Lent. 1040, h^^ v^as publicly enthroned And iwmid 
thu aucluxudtiona of the people orowned undoT tho title o £^. 

His first act waa to call a council at Rome on March 26. 
which was attended by a Urge concourse of -Bishopa from alL 
parU of the Chrifltian world. f 

Tt was, we leam, rather a stormy ^thering, for thrr 
Ueure«38 l^d down at the condave did not meet with the 
approbation of many presents Ainorig ih^ taw^ |>a,saed wore 
IhoAC eapedally directed againat simony. All positions 
g»incd by gifts were dodarod null and void whether they 
wore held by fiiahops. pricato or heads of mou&attc inatitn- 
bions. and clcrica were warned under threat of cxcommani' 
cation to load oontineut Uvea. 

Xho word simony i« dorivod from tho name of Simon the 
Magiciaik who offered th^^ Apoatlt^H mouvy to purchiXHC from 
them thepowerof perform ing inirAcleB andof communicatiufE 
the gifts of the Holy Ohoat. St Petor. it may be rcmem- 
bened, took upoTi hiniHelf as Head of the Chnrcfa to denounce 
the iiopoetor, and In words which have hcen himded down 
to iifl in Koly Writ aJiDiiui^tered a eteru rebuke to the 
M«igiciaQ for liie presumption.* |fl 

Simoay formed one of the woret evils of the age w^^ 
which the Church was burdened, and against which Leo like 
his predeceanor^ issued ecverc andstringent laws. It hod been 

■ It mkj bent ba rcnurked tliat il Pope on hia ooroiution tftkei & acv 
Divmct fvaorallr that of &o&ic< aaiatly inredeoeucr vbocc virtu« he taoat 
partbiuArl^ wuIk** to imitaie. H« ri?L&iDfl hia CbrutATJ rmai«t fagwovav 
W tho xi^TiAture of tsoclHiBaticiLl rfovumants. 

*Petpr«ifcid aatoMtti,"Thy luonejiieriah vith tlww bwoauiift Ihou lutt 
thou^Ub IhAt tibo giH ef Qod may ^ purcluuod with looaa^ 

<' Thijii b*«t QQLthcr part nor lot in ihui matter for Uiy boort b not 
Hifht m the aight of Ooi. 

*' R«p*ikt tooref orv of tbi* thv tvi?)co<lQ?iii, and pray God if porbapt 
tb« tbcu^t ef ttiiw b>Mirt attty h* forgivvb to thvr. 

"For I pftro*ivtf tbM thouaiilEi tbo g«IJ of bitt4rnv« Lad in Cbohead 
ef ijuqaitj.^ AoU vML 16 S6. 




Simony 






lud down from the «ar)jest CbriMiau timL'A thut tho«a placed 
&□ poeJtJODS which otiabled tbetn to dispense thd splritaal 
benefits of ttje Church were hut the ngents *iid rmt ihti 
ovnem of thn hravrnly trensures, aud that th«<y could QOt 
maku f*xcb&ijg« for tt-mpurat gifbv 

Favoured b^ the ban^fiil practice Dishopa and other 
QiDrch digmtari&a were dicjbcii fur their iidhorernco to the 
political fftctiond which elected them rather than for their 
own tilQ0S9u Ecckaiaaticiil htiDoGcce werfi left vacant in 
order that the revenues might be apprcpriatod by the power- 
ful flind extravajcant nohlea of that puriod, wtioao vicov 
wont uncliockod and uureproved by thcBO timo-sorving 
pr^lfltM- 

Fronn Ituly th« Pontiff proceedod to Germany where he 
was Joyfully welcomed by th^ nohleg who h&d shared hia 
ynuthful uportn aiirl hy t)ns l^riiporor with whum he ce^C' 
br^ted the Feant oj St Peter anil St Paul at Ct>logne. 

Before entering tlie cloister Leo, whau Conul ot FTapsburg, 
had been trained with his relative Henry in al} the worrliko 
«xeitueof the d«y< Uc had osbibitcd such proljciency in 
iheee psaeaiceB of arma that ht; became famoUB for hb 
nilttary xkill and foata of daring, and young oa he woa 
had &lrofldy gained some g^ory in tho field. 

When therefore on liiH return to Rome^ he found the now 
•HlleK, the NormanSn h^id be^ie;:^ and laid waste Apulin. 
then belonging to the Church, the memory of old dayc camo 
upon him and revived his martini epint. Then we are lold 
wa* iwen tluT Htronge night of a Pi>|m^ of Ronic^ riding to do 
battle at Ulb head of an army, which iocluded seven hundred 
Snabgao*- 

His Aoldiers were> however, anivbtc to reeist the impetnoua 
ra<>b of (he fierce and weU-aocoutjred Norm^cd, who numbered 
eomo three thousand. They wero defeated at the outsot* and 
Leo waft taken prieoner. 

Great wail ^9 coueten&tion of ihofte valiant children of 
tha Church on bocomin|{ aware of the identity cf tbelr 
oaptiva. They treated him with the utmoet nsrpect, waiting 

J9 




IllOB^ 



Matilda. Countess of Tuscanv 

fl^On hlnk with b^ad^id knee and ofTeriog bim 
boopitality wiiicb their c^vtnp ftflbrdcd. 

Tho PoDtiff, who had reaigoed lualBl^]f to bis f at«, wu 
snrpriwd uid totichi>d hy these unlooked-for evtd&Dc^e of 
aubmlsaioD to the Holy See. In his jo^ at his anexpectftd 
treatjneiit^ he coDferred upon ihc chief the titto of Count 
nt ApnlJA. And heHlowcd on hnn and hii4 follower-s th« Inndu 
thfiy hftd scifled ia be helil as tiefn cl the Church, 

By tliiH graceful aod diplomatic act ha au wcm the ufl>t!> 
lion of hifl (^eiptorfl, already impra«ed by " bia TirtneB »ud 
nuuily bearing/' thai they became hcticr-fortli Lhe m^t JSCjJom^ 
(^crcnta and firm champions of 8t Peter's chair, ■ 

Loo waa no leas taken by the appearance and aixnplc piety 
of their leader, Robert Ouiscard, or Wischoarti heir of the 
cQl«bratedTancr«cl, whoee twelve eons were equally re&owDcd 
for tUoir oourage and chivalry, 

Od the Pope's return to Kome he waa, at hifl riK^i 
aocompaniad by Rt^heri and h nitinu<i of Normans^ who 
appeared to be on the best pouible tenna with IheSr latiH 
Antagoiiiats. ^^ 

Ttdiugft of the capture of tho Pontiff had naturally catutni 
Tiniveri!a1 conc^UTTLfttion in Kciuc, but tho anxieties of the 
Carduiala were eoon relieved hy asmirancea o! hifl safety' 
WhcD ho appeared within fii^ht of tho dty, tho people 
desortdd thcii- honsoa, ruid with loud demonstrationa of 
welcome hurried to the gates to greet him. 

Groat was th^ir joy and astonishment to behold kin 
riding al the head of the lon^ cavalcade by Che side of Duke 
Bobert, who paid him the deft^rence due rflther to & conqu* 
ihan to a prisonor of war. 

There w«« one who wunld have responded to Leo's eall to 
arms, and whoHo martial power would probably liave cTianged 
tha tide of war, but alasf deAth had laid him low aud the 
courtly Bouifac« would ride Forth lo battle uo mcro. ^M 

Tho M;ibr^nvc had been ncctdontally ehot by one of his^ 
friends while huiitinj: in the foT«et, and at first tho hurt wm, 
thought to be but trivial. Hut though, under tlio dgy^ 



lertM^ 



Fatherless 



tCiMJDt caro ftn<l niimng of hia de^'Oted wife, he lingorcil tor 
a «hU«, he did not r^over from the wound thd urov hftd 
inflieUd. 

S&d timea were tJi«3« for the little M^tildft, «nd ttie \<m» 
ol hor bnlnvrd fnthrr was noL the only one she was ta deploriL 
Thie. ^ui^l uf death y^t hovered wjtJi lingeitug wiug ever the 
InttlccncatA of Cnnnmyi^ It waited at ihc cliumber where, 
m aooUier part of the c&«tle, the heir to the estates of which 
the window commAodcd so fine & f^rospect, lay dying of fever. 
WThUo yet Lho body of Boniface awaited burial , the aou, whom 
be hoped would hiivo cnicoeeded him, was cioaiiif; his youthful 
eyed to tha thioffs of corth. 

Poor BtiAince waa %i firat almoflt ttunued by the unddon- 
beaa oC the dtml mivfortune. To be deprived of th« love and 
protection of ber lord, and to loee her ehtld, a bv4Lnti£uI boy 
of ten yearsj who gave promise of bein|; a worthy Mar^T&ve 
WMi 11 trial which thr^iati^ned to uverwhdtu her hy its 
magnitud?. 

Tbo domainii otct which ahe was thiui uauitpnctr^dly cjUled 
Qpon to rule were very exieubive aad comprised nearly ihi< 
whole of the northern part of Italy. Stretching from the 
Adri»t4C to the Ty"^^^'^^^ Seas, the Marqnisate included 
ali&o«t every phyaica) feature witliin ita boundary, licr 
enbjecte were nomorood and their temporamontfi 06 varied 
a* thetr ttataraJ BOrroundinga, akhou^li durinj; hur huftband'e 
lifetima they had given many proofs of thoir devotion to hU 
family. 

The IwireMM to theiw domains, the extent and riohneefl of 
wbieh rviMlt-rvd her the we4ilthte8t priiieeHS of Itnly and 
almost of Eun^pe, was Ualildn, who, at the time of her 
htfaer'a death wan a healthy - looking maiden of eij^bi 



The atricken widow had not mncb leiAurc to icduJ^e En 
the luxury of grief in which bo many mourncrH find comforts 
Ponnidabia aa were the porplexi^ifi^ which her hnabaad'a 
deoeaM apeaod out before her, they were utill further in- 
creaaod by the ill-ccEicealed enmity of neighbouring rulera. 

3* 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



n 



Hers viA» li periloun jkimUou in those rude timei^ nor hftd 
nhc axiy liLiicH upon wham sUq could reokoo for ntd agniiut 
thoac lurboleat epirita whose jealousy prompted them to be 
dan^croun rivttln. On aH nidcs she was surrouuded by m&ii 
ddsiroufl of poescsaiog tb<Mnaelv63 of htr lands, And wiUi 
whom ber 8ubji.?aU vr^ro involved in contianoua qiiarreLs. jj^ 
Tha ogo demanded a roler whoso Btronff urm like thfti'' 
of Bouifiue. could kc«p in chock tbcBv unscrupuJoue meddkiH 
&Dd Beatrice, uiins^ to talte the ioitiatlvd ia luiy public act 
Wfts. AS she bolivvcd, iiicnpuble of directing tb« ^vernmont 
of a principality. Thus at a period whvn strife likQ a 
fierce tempiNit flwttpt over Enropa, ani) when Iiuids and 
liberty w^r© in deadly peril, the 8ol« tnan»g»iu(.^nt of thtt 
Tuscan ManjuiHate devolved upon a delicate woman* a 
wotnan, ton, of most rorined snscGptihilitiea, "learned and 
withfti sc} f>eai]i]rul-" 

DL'bid»!f her other trials, the pi«ty of th(» widowed 
Connioro wan daily shocked by the open immorality and 
exceeMe and other social evilf, the outcome of the ago 
in which ahc lived and fr>Dm which Tu§cauy w&a uoL 
exempts Kmiacntly rcligioufi aa ahe woa the troable« which 
atilictc^ tho Church aHlt^ted her aIj^o, and sho could not 
but deplore the inditferencc diaplayed by her puopk in 
«piritna] matters. It was with aorrow that she hoard from 
Hildebrand of the power and inoreaeing numbere of the 
schUmatie* and other enemies of religion who were 
eorrupting the belief and morals of her countrymen. Sho 
considered hertielf reflponalhle before God for tlm welUbcing 
of her Hubjects, whose prognwsive prosperity aliaendeavourrd 
to promote by the aid of her wuilth and by the wdubafy 
jNitteru of a holy family life. ^t 

Beatrice waa of a naturally frnil constitution, and her^ 
troubles wouid hnvo engulfed her in a whirlpool of deapoir, 
hod not Heaven endued her with wiedom and fortitude. 
Thoee who aro chosen by our Lord to Mhare Hie eroM are at 
tb^aama Ume given the strenj^h to emulate His auflcringu 
and His patience. Armed with confttlenee in Divine sup] 

3a 




Marriage of Beatrice 

the priaoen went bmvely on m the putU of duty, uWing 
ftvar the ono ti«nro«t ftnd plainest ami purguing it in tJi« 
im/ee of all oi>HUicleA, 

At thU rriticAl muiii4!Dt, and while yet the ahwlow of 
bfir liMB eiivinmri) hirr, htilp cume from human batida, apd 19 
& moot QEieipected and iindcairfkblc form. 

Her cousin Godfrey. buruaiui:d the Bearded* the Black, 
ft&d locDctiiiie^ tbe Bold, bod long been m difptito vriUi tho 
Emperor witli roganl to tho Duchy of lx>thariu^ft. to which 
ho Uid claiEa. Uodfroy, who vroa one oE the mrist poworful 
of tho 0«naaD sojsdraiDB, at loDgth broke oat into open 
r«To1t Ukd mccooded in kiUing hU rival, la hie nnj^r he 
•At fire to iho CathedrAl of Verdan, tkie bi8hop of which 
dioCMM hftd fflvoured hia enemies. He, however, repented 
hia act of socrile^ imroediAtely Afterwards and made ul) 
the aroends ut hiH puwer to repair the dain/i^e lie had 

The Rinpcror, furioun nt llifj dcfivtnrp of hii% ivuthority* 
CooIl up arma ^j^ainsi hia rcbellioua subject. Godfrey loet 
biB ewostf and the duchy pasrK^l into the handn of tho 
imperial Favourite, 

Deprived of his cutnten and exited from hia n^tivo liuid, 
tbe Dake oonooived the idea of rotrioviog hie fortunes by a 
bold etioke. Thia wa« no Icam tbun & direct proposal to his 
reliUive, the Toacan princsfis, to become at once hie pro- 
twtor and bin wife. 

ThiA sinf^Lar form of wooing, Appealing as it did to the 
raftdiljr awokoued HytupathleA of Iteatrice. snccr^eded even 
bejond Godfrey's iRO«t nAngnini? anticipations. Ere long, 
toh]« QWQ sarpriae and relief, he fouud himself and his eon 
*'Le Boeea'' cotnfortAbly onacoDced io the widow's strong- 
hold ol Caooen. 

ThiannioD, 4a may be auppoaod^ was a sonroo of muob 
rexatioo to the Emperor. Besides tbe dislike ho entertained 
for Qodfrey bo ha<j other pkns Cor the diapoaal of the 
Tq9«ui terrilohea by which he proposed to str«n^he& his 
power in italy- 

i: Si 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

For tliia re&aon he hA<l fortued the project at liffinnciDg 
the heirese to thcee rich and important provinces to hia ^, 
iofant BOD, then in hiA fifth year. ^M 

On hearing the nows '>f the matriagc which thvritrtCHil 
hifi carefalky arraji^cil 5i!hcmo5 ho flew into a viok^nt mst. 
He protest^ thnt he hfu) witQeaeea to provQ that vi^lenc^ 
had hetn naed to make Beatrioe consent to the unioti and 
thnt he intended to revenge the inBtnlt to his relativa ^ 

FlacinghimBelfat thehc^ad of his »rmy he erosaed the AlplH 
with all possible speed nttr] descended npon Tuscany with thn 
otyect of compelling Godfrey to releaae BeatiTiCH fj-om the 
tmion into which he chose to believe ithe hud hniui rntrnppcd. 

The threatened bridegroom, on hearing of the a[>proao]|^ 
of the Emperor and diWning the ctrnso, wn^ inclined to r^^' 
sent his ioteTforcnce, and settle the quostioa at the point of 
the avord. The Countess, who was aoxioua to avoid blood<^ 
abed, prevailed upon her nowly-wodded haaband to try thfr" 
ofloct of (conciliatory roe^a^eH. The Duke followed her 
ndvice, and eent an embnaey to the camp bearinj; a ietter 
which, iia manly and precise Utmu, ^-xplaiued Lbe whotej 
mutter tn thr irate mnn&rch. ^ 

''Aft ft banished man," naid h«, "d*wp<jil«l of my pouitfH* 
BioDB, T ffhoiihl unrcly be rxciinod for having availed myMlf 
of the succour of a wifo whom I obtained without fraud or 
violence and whom I have wc<Mcd without fraud or violti 
according to the ritea of the Church." 

Henry, unable or unwilling to reply to this ntruighl 
forward atatemont, preecrvcci an anj^ry sUence. DistDisaiJ 
theciivoyshe pursued hit mare)i, determined on «eparati 
the miirri^d pAir &nd driving Godfrey out of Jtaly. 

Beatrice was fully alive to the danger which would 
threaten hrr rjwn and her child's inter^Abt wer« ftht 
Acknowledge the right of the Oerniaii monareh to intvrfej 
in her afTair*. Ignoring QoJfrey s rciteratetl Migg«iiiicn« 
rrfcrring the cause to the ineue of combat bhe rcAolvod to' 
make a personal appeal to Heury'e scuee of justice TaktDg 
with her the Uttle Matilda ehe left OanosBa and. occompuued 

SI 



3 





In Captivity 

by ft aleDder escort, went to tuaet the Emp&rar eru he L*d 
crossed th« oorthDra boiiDdory of her territory, 

IVcaentuag barsolf before tho councdf wliiob Il«Dry hftd 
tttotily SQnimocwl, and the \a^i vhich he o^ Emperor bftd 
tbo ng:ht of coDVcniDf in Italy, tho beautiful and f r«cofal 
widow plcdkdod hAT G&OAO find iuiqoudo^ that vhts hod 
ODtOTwl tbo lauTUgo of hur own froo will. " 1 havi> doco," 
oftid the CoontM* in doar, tbriUuif^ toiieM, which convinced 
aU bat her obdorato ralativa, " what it is Lawful for all to do. 
My drai hoifaaad being dca;3 I vw* &U alonu in tho world 
witJiont » mftn of ftmui to deft^nd toe and bo a protector to 
my diiUL" 

TvrnUig to the Emporor she addreabed him in eomewhat 
oC bia own apirit. " I havo tommittcMl no treason/' urged the 
Prinoeas, adding that the mooarch coald not act with justice 
vmlcea he allowed her iW same liberty which noble wouiea 
bad ftlwaya cnjoy^. 

But D<!nry turned a doitiF car to her cxplarati^in and« in 
apite of her epiritod d«fonco ot her action^ ordered her to be 
plaoed under inamediAte arrest. 

From thd council thd Couriteftfl and her child^ thuA sum- 
marily withdrawn from the comforta of their palatial bomer 
wcTB taken nndur nn i^stcnrt to thi^ camp where thny wore 
axpoevd to the rade but well-nieaLit attentions of the intpenal 
Boldiem. 

What the Eniperora plans were with regard to Oeatriee'a 
fviore it is dil!icult to conjecture. Probably he intended by 
kMping ber in hia power to nltimatoly force hor to accept 
yooog Henry a« a Bon-inlaw. 

At all evftote bo conveyed both mother and daughter to 
Oormaay, where tbey remained in captivity at tho Court with 
ao proepaeft of freedom. Summer had pa«»ed, antumn bad 
given place to winter and spring came, and they still re- 
mainad priaoni-nt, until Beatrice a soul grew «ick with fear 
and the little Matitda grew pale and thin with longing For 
ber hoTOC and nunny akiea. 

Oo beahog of bis wife's c^tnre Qodfrey abandoned ail 

SS 




Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 

bopce of effecting her release, knowing how futile bis efforts' 
would bo. Shunning a iJiLtting with Henry he escaped to 
Klftnderfi, wliich was st the time in revolt ftgaiost the Emperor, 
ivn[] witititd until such time as BeairiQe Bhouli) he &11owfid to 
return to Italy- 
It in Qoxnewhat remarkdhle that neither the Countess nor 
Godfrey appcura to have made compJaint to the Pontiff, 
alUiough thii Hoiy See was at that time the general Court of 
Appeal throughout Chriatcndom. Neither do wo find from 
history tbul Leo, whose infiuence over the Emperor was well 
Icnown, made any protest on tbiiir bt^halt Certaia tt ifi that 
ho was at the time very much occupied with the duties of his 
position and may not luive f*onsidered the matter serious 
enough tot-all for his intervention, 

Leo's [loutificats has been dB»urih(<d as one contintjal 
journey for the wtuil of the Chui-ch. He made au exhamstlvt? 
tour dF Italy, correcting abuses, enforcing regulattona and 
canons long since held in abeyance, excommunicating iQCor- 
ngiblt^a and removing the ban from pemlunte. ^ 

Hia very mro momenta of leiatare were devoted to musit^l 
ut which he was an ardent lover and a composer of no mean 
Tnerit. His studies ended but with his life, and 80 aiLsdoas 
waa he to thoroughly understand and refute the argument! 
of the Greek schismatics that at the age of fifty h& set to worl 
to master the Grvvk. [aoguage, " a task in which he emin^nUj 
succeeded." Kovaes deaoribes him as "u PoatilT of a t^nder^ 
and solid piety and endowed with a loving and ardent xeal." 
Pope Victor IlL (1087) addrt, " He waa a truly apostolic mi 
born of the royo.1 family* rich iu leaniltig, eminently pioi 
otid ripe in the knowledge of qcclcsiostical matters. " 

Leo's holy life waSj however, fast drawing bo a eloi 
Finding hie end approach ho deairod to be laid in the ehoir 
bt Peter's where he had so often worshipped hie d^ar 
With feeble voice be bceought Heavens blessing upon 
fchithtul aod gave absolution to repentant sinners wi 
touched by his patience and devotion, with bitter t^^ais reUcvi 
their Beared consciences of their past and almost forgottei 

3fi 



i 



Death of Leo IX 



erimac Hashed to awe by the sofemDity of the eoene the 
kiM«Uag peaitents liHtened with breELthlees interest to the 
ttlnt ftGoentt!! wliich fe]) Froni the lips of the Holy Father. 
Ha pT»ye*l T-hftt OoH wouH protect Bis Church from &I1 
eueitiitis vinible and invisibkr i^'^d the rua[ionMV« "Ameos" 
vrero mingled with sighfi &ud sdba which his hearers v&inly 
cndeAVOiired to aapprefe. The evening doAc<t in luid thf 
CTOwdfl diipcraoil to their homes to apoak with bated brCinth 
of their bdlov«d PoutHF vhoaeirorda and the drcumatancen 
under which they w«re att&rcd wotild never be c^occd from 
their memorios. 

Loo, Jeft ftlone with his CardiniLJs and the faithftiJ 
Hildebraad, held a XsAi oouncil with them ^elfL^ive to the ap- 
poiotiDcnt of n ftiic?w«Kor, At dAybreak at the somtd of the 
bell which BammoDdd th^ worshippera tc matins he expressed 
ft wish to be placed before the altar. Tenderly he vas sup- 
ported to thtj wpoL whore ho dtuirud to be laid and then? "* bu 
wept and prayrd long" until iseejog thtit his strength wbb 
nearly exhaaated they lifted luiu nrriiia into Uie choir. 

lie ended his pontJticAte as he coinmeiiced it, by making a 
gvoen^l conf«^ioia ef the sintf of his pa^t life and received 
sto(^atiOD *t tlic bonds of a Cardinal Mii^a waa tbcn ccie- 
bvwied by odo of the Bidhope prcaeut, and Leo remained witJi 
his hande diiq>ed daring; the rending of th^^ praycm, the 
fftiiiiliar words of which be ^ndaavoured to follow, A awec*t 
amiW playi&d round tho tipM of thn dying Pope ; he eloKcd hid 
tycs as if asleep, and wheo the congregation rose f inr the laat 
Qoipsl the loni of Leo pu-ssod atluntly upwards into the 
prfflence of bis Lord. 

He dii^'d on April I9i lOM, on the unnivcnuLry of tlin day 
OD which he had. tvitb such an overpowering senae of tuAowii 
Qoworthmesa^ celebrated his first pontifical Mass- 

Thns, after fi:ovi:fmin^ the Christian world for Utile mors 
than five yesrs, ho ondod his roi^ jnst as the Cbarch woh on 
th« eve of ft stra^le for the aupromoey to which as the 
fododotioD of Christ ahs was sntitlcd. 

The Poatifl^'a virtue SJid bla ccdeaiaatic&l T'.eal have 

57 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

daiorvudly ensured him a place in tlio liat of thoac wbom Uia 
Qliiroh d«l]gbte to honour and qd his dUioaisAtion fae bcoam^ 
iht> j^ardi^n Aaint of th& city of BuDOviinto. 

Id carrying out hia reforms Leo bad, as higtory teo^ndg 
na, on able aUy id Hildebran^l whom from the com.mencem4»nL 
at Lm pon^licute he hiul reUmi^d in Rome- In onler to ktie(i 
tbfi |iiior n^or &t tiand he h&d made him Abbot of tho 
Mooiu?t4?ry of Si Pftnls m which wfia entahliahcd & sm&llcom- 
luiiaity^ MuAt uf tliti brutlireii had tMhu^rtred to other 
Mylams «bnd the church adi) monutic buiHiugs lay oimoflt in 
rmofl, ibo xevoauds huving boeu for aomc years applied to tho 
uec of powerful ami grasping kymon, 

Hild&brand was not daontod by tbo obatoclos which lay 
in bin way, and by his poreonal n.fipcaU and nnatiBwerable 
Kr^^ments roufiod in the spoilers a BOnse of ehamo for th«ir 
wrong-doin^- Theii repentance took an Activ^r form, ftnd thisy 
not only made full and oomplote roBtitution cf their iII-gott«n 
gains, bnt iLsfiij^tod the ncwiy-appointod Abtnt in bii»unbrta 
to restore the buildlnj; to somewliat of " ita andent spleudour.* 

On the death of Leo the Cardinals tuotc thi; lir^t nUrp to- 
wards (he a*iit!rtiun uf their exelosive right to eltsct bis 
(KQccesflor. Doubtlesa in the last connoil which h«d gathered 
round the dying Pontiif they had received authority from bim 
ID lliia Dcw departure from the tatabhahcd rule Without 
waiting for the Emperor to nominato a Fopc Ihcy took 
independent action and formed tbcm^clvoB into an olc«t)V(> 
usombly. Their vot^ and those of the Komau oitmns w«r« 
tiQ&uimouBly given to the elevation of Bishop Qebehard, a 
nntive of Innsbruck and a Benodictine monk, as wa» hU 
pri^decesttur. Although aji ndvance had been made in die 
right dirccbioti the Ohnrch wns not all nt once to Hhako cif!' the 
imperial fcttere. Htldebrimd was therefoi« dt^puUad by the 
•lectont to negotiato with tlie Bmperor for thu ratification o^h 
thotr c!ioice. ^ 

With his usnat promptitiido tbn Abbot lost oo time in 
croAttin^ the Alp« and pToaentcd hlninclf at the German oourij 
ere the news of the doath of Loo had been received. 

3B 



L 




Hildcbrand as Ambassador 



Ffttignod though be WAS with his trying jouruey, Imvel- 
flteined snd consuntod with ftoxictj m to thi» «ucce«* of hU 
miwicii* ho ftJloved bituBelf no roab tmtil, like & Inie un- 
bMVAdoTt ho bod dolivorod his crodoDtink 

Td tho «cil«<i Bdatrico tho tmexpected Appe&r&DC« cE hor 
codDtfymui WAA aa woicomo a« ihut of an ACgul. MaLtlda 
wiA iD & itADBport of deliifht and, acftwed even by th« Bt«rik 
pnavnce of th« Btnpcror, clung to ilie arm of hvr old nt;- 
qQa[DlA[ice> Albeit h«r Kenior by thirLy-ihre« yt^&rn. 

Hnnry, whci iMTmuaAlly vtilL^rUtinsd mueh respu^t for Ihii 
Lt-g&c«. Accorded him « cordis welcome, mid tho nilauOQ 
proepered beyond iho xowi s&agQLuc hopes of tlie gmtifiod 
Hildobnuid- Far from raising any oljcctitmn to thr nomina- 
tion of QeboL&rd, who Wf>fi his rolative and ob&uoeUor^ tho 
nODftrch gave a moHt tini^ualifiud aaacnt to Lho elevation of 
his fftvourito. El^nry wag not only a pioas, bat nleo on 
Mtuto Mvoreign, and Hit popes of hiH dioictt, of whom 
GoWhard was the fonrth, w&r« ail moD of sxc^^llent cbsrAet&r 
and w^Oi tiUiTil hy Ui(?ir o-bihiiea bo fill the bfjly oSxtiv tq which 
)>e appointed bliem. 

The dcsolnoo w*wi ik hourcn of iimcb relitf and pletknum to 
Beatrici^t since the new Pontifl^ n mun of noted integrity, was 
aUo rcUted by the tieti of bloods He waa a pergonal fiiund 
too, And cro be had nbandotivd Court life for the cloistor bod 
pntd ftoqncnt viaite to Canoaeo. 

Gcbehord, however, whcete intellectual capu^iby forotndy 
inducfd him to devote bimsolf to leomiDg, waa Beronely 
hnppy in the K>lttude of liiin cell wlure, abAOrbod in hia 
manuscripla, he hod no tliou^hta to epare for the world 
nronnd him. With many n nigh nt the relinquishment <if hia 
beloved purauita. to which he sadly IjaJ^ a [wrp^tiial adieu, Le 
tore himiuflf iiway fruiu hia titeniry work and took up, at thn 
Emperor'e wish, the cares of Epieccpal life. 

He Ijod ttOLTCKly reconciled htiUMlf to the fulBlment of his 
onerous datiee when, by tho death of Leo, ho w«s Bcddcnly 
ottiled Qpon U> fill Uie F^pat chair. 

Gcbeh*rd*s election illtutratci^, tbougb in a Ices dc^oe 

39 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

thnn that of hie prcdt^ceaaora* tUe manner in which the voioij 
o£ impfjnai authority ft^rccd ite fnvoutites intc the high 
poflitioEia in the oociceiasiica] world. Without fuiy 
parationa or trainirg for thoir new dutiua they h^i no i^hoioe 
bat to obi>ythoEmpQror'acomiua.nd| though sometimes sigtunst 
thefrown prtvabe judgment and the di4!tat«9 ef coDScienoe. 

No wonder chat pioua man like Bishop Gebehwd, who 
had the real welfare of the Church at heart nnd thought not 
r>f their own Arlvancomerit, shrank: from snch a step. Na 
wonder they recoiled with horror from the sacrilege Lliey 
were called upon to cooimil in this uncanonicnJ inductica 
into the chair of St Peter. In the early days of the Charcll 
the Pop(i!« received the news of their election with humilitj 
and evon with gladneas, and tbo rooficn ie tiot far to aeek. 
The tiara was then hut the pretnde to the martyr's Grown, 
knd there wae but one atep from the throne to the arona, and 
the otxjdiuncu of the Pi:>ntifrH to the call of tbu Church 
received a speedy reward io the Divine commendation, 
" Well tlon*a, good and faithful servant, enter thou into th«) 
joy of thy Lord." 

Whmi, hnwcvcr, the gr^ut wave of persDCuLion that hnd 
swept over Christianity and threiteued ita very exist«DC6 
had epent Itaelf tit unavailing fury against the Miccewiorv a! 
the Apo&tlea. the Qituation became changed. The amhitioD 
which fired the Pope«s to place themaclve^ in tJ:e front r&nk 
of victime for the Truth wae a t&st of courage no longer 
required of them. The impotus bu :^<jal hein^ thus withdrawn 
the Pftpal chair ceaaod to bo coveted and» neivoly romarkc 
the historian, "h&eame the only throne in the world whiob 
men awidUQUwIy avoided," 

The Vatican henceforth waa the centre not only oi 
tesdmnoy for the Faith, but of a continuous sbrnt^glr Itntwov 
lJi<4 npiritiiai anil tetopurn.! power. The pjety of the Pontifb 
availed them nobbing in the «yo» of Etiropcan ru]c;r>; thDir, 
«ctionH were miarepreMmted. their motlvea miAJui^od, their 
authority defied and unless they were endowed by nature 
with an inll&xible will they went to the wall. 

40 



I 
I 
I 




St Peter's Chair 



At thsi period of hifttory whon th« boundoriM of 
UrritoriM wftverod And chon^od ]iko ah indoDt^d and 07dr- 
atiifliu;; Go&At-Unet wli©a myn totte to despotic povfiir by 
oppnissioDt it WA« tho PonUtT who «tood in thotr pftth and 
laid a Teatraininj; Ijand upon their cnieltiean He wa£ the 
only nuiti on e&tih vA\o clAred Ui bejini the fierce liotiH in tbeir 
own Uirand rele&aa from Lheir tjranny the J)4^opll^ they liAd 
vnals%^cd. As Vicnr of Christ he did not br«ilat4! La reprove 
imnoraiity in high plat^ea and call even monarclia to ejiswer 
for their disregiin] of the sftcrament of mntrimony. Nay. he 
weotstillCurthor, for, armed with Divioe approvaJ, he indictod 
Qpon iDccrri^blc olTcn^er^ the puoishinont both spintnaJ 
And t<]m|>orai of the Ho]y Soo. 

Nor was mr^rftl and physical coura^ all that waa 
required in a Pope at that &g<&. The evante of the time were 
not only fivriu«intly beyond the ccntro) of ccclefiiaatical 
anthonly but were even franp^ht vaitli dangor to the Papal 
chair Their management and direction demanded a 
diplomaLir ekill ran% at that period, and in vhieli 0«b&h&rd 
fnit himaelf to lie wadly deficient, Iq short, th<T nhnrr-H 
required then na now tbut iU Hovereign shotild, in addition Ui 
tbo bannlcosDCda of the dove, be etroogly imbued witb the 
wiadom of the eerpenL *'The occupant of Si Pelcr'a chair." 
remarkB a writer of the present century, "in hound bo 
etrtve tor the ri^jhtB and privilege* jUHtly pertaining to the 
Cborch of whii;h he in tho Head. On hi^ rhotildere tJie 
diffieoliies reet, and to his Judj^ment the decieion of eoeh in 
dofeored." Hb pt^ntonality an tho acknowledged and un- 
cmn^ interpreter of the Divine Will givea bim a power 
nnvqiulled in the world, hiit in^nence ia unlimited and 
eitendH to rTI the regions of the earth. His position, though 
lrfu|Uimt1y iuu<niliHl and Khnkrii in ila very centre, i^ aa 
tDdeotructlble aa the Rock upon Mfhich it is founded, and ''the 
gateaof hcll/'direlurcstjurljord, *^9bidl udI pn^vnil A^iuet it"' 

But the Pontiff, tbough infaUibte in cr-ca(h(dra dofioitionJi 

' •'T>i# Hflly HiW*v' pi)bliHh«d by the Sociecj for Prtonotliig 

4* 




I 

I 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



tiff iogmMkt in in oth^r ways prone to the weikkne^ees iii9epn.r* 
able from our huinauity. Tliougii L}ib love fttid respect of tlio ^ 
whulo Cnthvlic world ju-e ct^otred in Lini sji the fntbcr of thftH 
fallliful. ta ia pi-^Qlud^ fitim " that ptir&oual ajmjM&tb^ adcI 
6uoDur&^:oaicnt opon wUicb oveo the gr«atc€t miadfl will 
oFbea rost/* and in the wonU of Holy Writ bo treads th^ 
winc-prem ftloDc' 

H0D09 it ifi that tbo introduction o£ the Popes, cspeciftDy 
thotfc of the Btiu^diotmo Onkr, fK> fr^qacntly containi^ an 
iooonnt of tbeir anwillin^esa to Bscend tho pontitical throve. 
There ww no appeal, however, when onee their eWvation was 
dmdcd upnn^ and "agfviiiHt their will" they were forced Ui 
obey the voice of th<- Emperor. Nor were they much belter 
otf whuQ the iinpisrial r^innLro] of tlie tifira h&d ceb^ed. 3y 
popnlflj choice, aiid afterwAr^lfl by the elective B»«aflbly of 
Cardinals, tbey were ubljgei] to accept the burdeu cf re* 
BpoiiAibilitleA from which their souls retailed. 

To a mau of Oebahard*s tetiriog diepofiition the pro«p«ct 
was appalUn^iOnJ a contemplation of ite atupcndoua vaatneaa 
almost ovorpowored his ainkiajr hi?art Ho ahnmk from the 
ever-iuGrvasiii^ difficiilLjce thai bcact hie pntli m wlikh there 
was DO alleviation and from wbich ther«» was no a«capa. 
Even when death should reluaso bim from tht^ labours which 
had laid him liw there rpmaJaed for him hereafter to rond^r 
a strict account of liia stewardship. 

The Bishop re^rotte'l also the sacrificii* of his [iPAr^fiil lif^ 
in the cloister nhitiU was recjuirril tif him and to whieli^Iia 
reflectfid with a sigh, ho could never return. But for th 
finti«^tti^ of Hildebiand. for whom he? bad a warm aiToction, 
be would have refused to rceigD his bappiccfta cither at tbe 
wish of tbe Cardinf^ or t^e bidding of the £mpeior. 

Beatrice Dfhturally rcg&r<Icd the fiiobop'a election aa 
promise of h«r own Ireedom, nor waa she disappointed 
her anticipation!. On taking leave of Henry, Oeboba 
added hta prayers to thoae of the Le^te with sucb etTect 



i 

n, 

I 



"HieHuty Bible,*' nuUiKh«l bj the Society fofPrutuutiugCUriBliaa^ 



Kauwled^i'- 



4> 




Return of the Exiles 



thM be obtftiD«d ft tardy permieBion for tht reUMO of Uie 
PiiiiuanM. 

Tbe CoiiDt«M ftnd her child, overjoyed «t thi^ir oniAti^&* 
tian, wcoDipanMd their frii^nda to Italy, Aod uever did th« 
pMBft^ of lh« Alps appetkr so dtHirnblr aafl mijoryablv n 
jounuy M it wab to tliose home-uck exiles. Tbo uavclkrft 
proceeded in the compaDy of t]i« Fu[jc-cflceb to Kuiae, aiud 
Ufttilda for tho first time was witnesA of the Holcmo 
oertmoruAl irilh which a F<mtilf entom npon hb rci^n. 

Arrirod ftt the g&tos Uioy were met by a proccsflioii cf the 
oituaofi, batded by the Cardin&la, noblcfi and prcfueta, vbc 
aaco r ted tbom to St Petcr'^i* which, '*hko a majeetic mothor 
snrToODd^d by & jC^up of daugbtera brllhaut in the ^rfieoe of 
3routh," roea Atnidst othor churcheu, ohnpeU nod convertta. 

Sitddenly the buzz of eicU^m^nt waa hushi^d aod a 
eiUnco Tolt upon thr multitiiclpH, whn cast chcmarlves od 
tliair knfN» ha tUts mmiid i>f th« Ih?II wartieil thE^Eii thd.t the 
Uaes with all its impresf^ivc and solemn ritual was about la 
oomnKncc- Matilda kiiccHag by her mother's side, mhaled 
the swtict fra^roiDce of the incQCLSc. and there came into bet 
Bund tiie versee ahe had read in Holy Scripture, — ^'AnJ 
aaotber angiol caiao arid stood at tho altar having a ^Idoa 
eewer; and there waa ftivcn dnto him much incansc, that h& 
•liooJd o4Tor it with the prayers of all sivint^* upon the golden 
altar which was before thv thtODi^ Aud tho !iinct;« of the 
inaaDta which cAmo with tbe prayors of the »unt», ascended 
cp before God oot of tha angera hand." * As the clouds w&ra 
waftad ID grsceftiJ wt«attis tht* litUo Princcsn, in niicoiisciooa 
ImitalioB of the Psalmist of old, prayed tbab her petitioiis 
mif^hi also rise lowarda tbe tbroue of Oo<l. 

At IhtttHiUcLunioE] of Lbe M&fls, Oebetard vas condacted 
to the balcooy o^criooking the great pinzTn^ and there 
"racaJTcd tbe imposition of haDdsfrcm other BLsbops infcricir 
to himself aad boldiDg nndcr him and From hiiu thotr sees 
and jnriediettoiis." With an emotion which she could 
eeareely control, tbe child, for vhe hiid batjost eulered upon 
■ BfiVDlfttioiiD nji. 3, 1. 

4i 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

her tenth year, watched every detail of tbo ritual Sheg&zed 
wilit reverent aw^ upon tlie face ci Geliehard — to give him 
his name for the Uat time — upon wliosr fcatnre*i» (rtis from 
ftU uvidiuice of eicttenient, shone the refleLtion of the pesco 
which dwcH therein. Her eyes were never removed from 
the figure oi the PootUf. who, althoujjli he had bvit just 
AttftiDcd middle age, W[y« bent with ntudy, And whose eJight 
fi^rc "appeared pathetic in it^ lonclinoea in tho ciidat of 
tiiat met osBemhhi^ev" Surrouocicd by (t tfoodly array of 
Cardin&]e» mitred abbots and a Tnultitude of aecular clergy, 
and in full view of the noblee and citizens of Rome, h« "vrae 
then publicly crowned as Viator II,, the name by which he 
wite Bfterwards to he known. 

Th^ impre^ion of that day'** events were never effaced 
From the rett^nlive mind of Matildq. anrj tt wnn fitiiig tlint 
ahft who w&n destined to become the defeuder of Lite Holy 
Sct^ fihoEild have been present at the coronation of one of the 
worthieat of the Pootiils who prepared the w^y for tho 
freedom of the Church. 

The entry of Beatrice into her morquieate vos nada 
ooeoflion of univepfirtl rojoioinff, the fervour of whieh teati 
t» the nITection with which she had inspired hereubjects. The 
air wai4 filled with the shontd und cries and Ioadly'Utter«d 
bleSKingH of the warm-hearted Itivlians. They mirroTiDded 
her with every detnonatratton of delight and escortod her a 
great part of the way to Ganosus, to which fiirtrees the 
(WQt*?SH repaired. A general holid^ty was pruclaimmJ, wnrk 
wan everywhere aiupended, and Um TuEfcuua gave Iht^maelvefl 
up to family t^^thi^^ rings and feaatings in honour oC tbe 
arrivoJ of the exiles- 

foot Beatrice! what an accumulation of bosinesa awaited 
her Wlukt ct'implicattona of aflairs, liomestic and politioaJi 
liad ariaon durine her lenji^hy absence. To what endJeaa 
histories ehe had to liston of neighbouring interferencee and 
aiJi^resaions, and there were even dark whiepera of the 
treasonable dealings of uoinc ef her Bubjecib who were aus- 
pected of leaaings towurda Germany. 

44 



I 




I 
I 




Visitors to Canossa 



To UfttUda, however, the retnm tn Tuscnny wwi bul ti 
joyful roali«atiou of a\\ tli»t fthe liad L«en longing For during 
ti« vftfary oaptivily. Sh* wrt» well coiileut t^ he onrt^ jigniu 
Among hpT n;»(-ivp viiit^ nxiil oUv«s bnd to gaze ajToulho lovely 
bdow-c&p^e<] guArtli&DA of her homo. 

Dct tronnport^ knew no bouudd wheu the tftU towers oE 
the aleni-looku3g coatlo appeared in view. To bor they boro 
oo forbidding o^oct, but noeraed to smile A£ if to wdcomo 
her vhoee tirel brooth oE llfo hul b«on drnwD witbiti tlio 
gloomy woJlfl of the gttttX fortrcea. She duu^ with cixildifih 
ftifectioD to iho jfood Donizo and enibTac«<d with forvoor the 
many fri«uda who hud afisi?mbled to fjreet her return. She 
gUdly r^stJiDcd her ftctjuiuntiuiCB with those who hud uoino 
from tlj« towns and villaf^ed of her future tnurquisate, and 
r«Gon»biMl Ui thrill th» i-venta of her captivity. With rhild* 
Uko BoUcitude n}i& hnetcued to ciAmiiii? minutely and widIi 
renewed iutcrest every well-remembered haunt from which 
ehe lud been absent ao long and in which her quick eye at 
oaee detected ftuy change. 

AJl Ihcee iocidcule, so amaJl in theiiiaelveB, were mattore 
of great momcot to MAtildn thi^n and afterw«rd&. It was 
tbeee apparent trivialities which developed in her heart that 
patrietUm which Iwl her to exclaim^ "I could die for thee, 
my dear Italy" 

Ere lang Godfrey, on hearing uf Mb wife'^ releiise, 
rpCurnnH to Cftnowui, ntid thit CAXtlc Ix^camti a« of yore the 
Cimtrv of courtly liubpit^lity ond refinement. Many old 
friendiswcll known to the wt-rhl for their piety and K^ariiJEg, 
reappeared to jtloddeu tho heart of the Princess by their 
prceeDce and awcet eountcl. Among these wna l^Voderiecf 
Lormnc, brother of l^calricc, who came thiiher from bia 
ieln*t at Monte Oaadiuo without ever dreaming that he wae 
to succeed his couaiQ Victor in the Papal chair. 

Her^too^but at rare iutervaU, caruc Gerard, the stately 
Bish^ of Beatricif'fl city of Florence, who was also one day 
to he crowned oa Pontifl! 

A mother visitor who afterwards became Pope waa 

AS 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Anscltn Harlagiiis. Bishop of Lncco, a citj which w&a inolni 
ill Ul« mftrqui^ato of tho Princoes. Auselm had b^ptisod ttw' 
icfjiDt Mfttilclfr and hod proved bimseU to be ft tried and 
truaty fmnd cf the Countess, when Uie Borrow of her bu»- 
boiid'ii death fell upon hc^r 

There was Aacthcr AattelBi, who, ere be retired to the 
monsatary at hvc, HometiraeB came on a vinit to CatioM^ 
ThlB WAB Ansutm of Aoat^, whoaa '^ bendcmewt. humility tLuA 
«arDBatQeas Lq dealing with the frailUea of bift brebbteu " h&s 
^mdcored hU naxne to EngiUhmca as one of the Aaintlieat of 
thft Archbishops of Contcrburv, He wfta at this time A 
youog m&n of nboat twenty-four yoarn of a^, and whood 
protilo 19 doscribod ab boin^ *' worthy o£ a aculptor, 6we«t yci 
diffniticd, with that exprtissiuu of aueiterity tomporcd by< 
fCentJene^ so fr^qneotly eeen in portraits of medUevftl 
«ccl«siflstics," 

Hugo of Ctuny stayed for a while with lieatriee wheoever 
the business of bis monastery bniugbb him to Rome. Here 
hd foand a tittle reposB fr<)Di hifi cares, and tlie bright aa^ 
winning mjiiiuera of MfttUdfi. eh&Hml awny rnfiuy a line w^Tch 
aoxiely had imptiut^^i] upon the baudaomi; fai.'e of the gentlft 

UODk. 

Another viaitor around whoso head already ahone the] 
halo of etaitcbity w^ Peter Damian, "who loved to bear 
witnoae to the pioty of Hugo," for whom ho bore the afiectioo 
of Ot kmdro<I Hout. Peter wa^ uTcr wclcomo at tho CfLstIo, for 
well Beatrice knew tbfit bis eaokolotb habits which afforded 
m> ttronge a ocntnut to the riohly-drcwiMl knightA who>i 
thronged ber AQdieace halls, covered one of the teoderect 
hearta Uuht ever beat Shu invariably tmatrd him with the 
reapeet whieh '*hiA vlrtneB and neal" demanded, for to hetf^ 
mind }ii?t abrupt mnutmnt ibrid mirt siayingH Havoiired more of^^ 
pious sincerity than Lbe poliabed utterances of the more 
courtly prolabea. 

Auflt«re as he appeared to others, Peter Daiutnn wjui 
loving and ^ntlc: to cbildrcn, and his mggcd features rch 
into smiles as Matilda, who woe gitbed with a retentive: 




Early Influences 



EncmorT, rtptt^ted to him some of the L^tm hjrmnJi which be 
himiaelf biul composGii. DoriD^ their captiYity in Genufw^p 
tfae Cotmteaa haU t&ugtt some of tbt^fw to her little daaghtor, 
fttkd found comfort in hoariDg her reoiti^ the beQatifui voi&ce 
of which the followiug was b^T favourite:^ 

"Tb«rv DO vuJDjif nioon nor wrkTiing 
Sua fior AtAn in cuunu^ bright, 
For l.h# Ijunb tt> that gU4 city 

Therv Lh« di^tijht ahiiica for erer. 
And UQknciTT] brc ticio ajid nights* 

Ever diitnmtfTil of b«r own pow«ra Be&trice submitted 
her vnxioufl plAna for the training of Matil<l& to the cuunaclfi 
of the tamUy aona of the Church who frequented her court, 
find ^wpccUlty eb^ valued tht? opinion of Hi Idt? brand. Wb4?n> 
«ver knu iiiksioiis allowed him a libUo leiatirc bo vieit the 
ecenee of tua cbtldhucd he never f&iled to make a etay with 
lb« hOHpit«b)c Couiil««B, Tier ready t^ympathien in his 
harueiogwork affiinlcd the we&r/ monk uiuch couaolatioD, 
And bor purAc-«tring9 were evtr iooacncd to further bis 
fichomcs of benevolence. 

Bcfttrioe wajt at the mudc time a f;nincr by thoao inter- 
views, and avaikd bereelf (gladly of his prudent advice trr 
many mailvrftbotb itpintunl and temporal, eepeciatly those 
wfaieh mostlj concerued her child. 

With Much holy induenoei Autronnding her, what wonder 
that the object of so iriueh solicitude tK'cnioe tTanient and 
tliuughtfu) Wyond her ^cnrpi. What wonder tlmt aliis 
became 'animated with a dc^^iir^ to devote herself to the 
aerviee of Ood and Utat a nohlo yearning filled her toul and 
a l^roat seal sprang up within her. " AmidstaH hur plea^urcfl* 
and they were manifold, her f^reateet waa to be in the society 
of Hildebracdi and she hailed with unbounded delii^ht tbo 
predoQi bot rare hotira spent with the gentle monk. Red 
letter days they weore indsed to her when bis dender figure 
WW deeeried wending its way np the gteep ascerit where a 
hearty welooaie awaited Mm. Sittiug at his feet and bok- 

47 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

iiig with reverence At bhe eipiefisLve Ittrauty o( his features, 
ftlte hncume "penetrated with that ardent £ea) for the Holy 
See, wliich waa tli« glory of her life/' 

The mother'a eyea wf^nld aomebiinee till ivith tears ae she 
gasod upon the eager, upturned focc of her e^najtivc. Iitgh- 
«oiiJed ahilJ, who mado bo fervc^nt & ri^eponGo to tho voico of 
aScction, Ofton eho would troniblo with approhenfiioD fts 
«ho thought of the future, when there wculd cocao a bruak Id 
the calm and tramiuil life, and when, perhaps, chore woold 
be no mother &t himd ti> shield and defend her in Uw hour of 
tempuition Ai>d danger. 



Education of Matilda 



CHAPTER m 



"The U* of toreo in dnA " 

Tif bvt of bvo pr«Y<kilB ! 

ThoT, thv thuudtivr, 

Sball ntip ttc fartL no vnorfl, 

ii*> mon; with threat* 

Cliallv^D^o Uitf meek Cliruii." — LoMom^Luw. 

Amoko the many cares ood difltractiOM which the govoro- 
toent of her Mar^aieuUe uecessituted, B^^atricc ncv«r loEt sight 
of th« itDporUnco of providiug her child with a solid oduca- 
Uoo. She fulGlUd her m&tania] trust with a vigilftDce that 
n«ver relaxed and "every prec&uUou that a fend mother's 
anxious heart Gonid suggest she anticipated sad provided for," 
Auist«d by Doeixo she devoted tlie greater p^rt of e&cb day 
to the caltnre of Mutilda's exphading mtud which, with a 
pensoptioaaouftDal toomeuf hur bender years, Hcquired a Laate 
for literary poiEiutfl. The Httlc ocholai proved an indefatig' 
able worker and found delighL lu tasks which wculd have 
repulKd children of more mcitiire age. Her inceseant mental 
afltiTity irufi only equalled by her remurkiLblo tenacity of 
memory, 

Donixo, of whom mention has several times bccj rnadet 
wu the fuaiJy chaplain at CanoBaa. Though hie ncun^ ia 
ffpalt by biatoriani in variooe ways, it ia ea»Uy recogniNable, 
aod derives ioter^at from th(^ fact that its owner waa a poet 
of 00 mean ability. His hookji of heiaiuet*»r vtrst-e. divided 
into chapters, are still preserved as specimens of early Italian 
litoratnrc, and it la to bis pen wc are indebted fur many 
ptttknlant of the family eventa concenjiDg the Margraves of 
TuMMiy, which would otherwise have been lost in obacuiity. 
Apart from their own iniriuajc interest these contcn-LjKirary 
pictured and iDcidentacf mediaoval life thrown tight upon the 
li 49 



I 

I 



Matilda^ Counte&s of Tuscany 

mttnndrfi and cuBtoma of the timo which render them a real 
aid to the study of IIh-Uilq history. He had, as h^ htmBelf 
tellfi ue, intpeDded to dedicate Uigmo vi^r^jilii^rl chronicle:! of hor 
family lu the PrLucess, the lost of her race* but her death, «rft 
he had fiutahed their compiJatioD, fn.iatrated his purpoeo. 

The indalg^ont poet eeema to take special delight in linger- 
ing tenderly over those details of Matilda's hietory, which 
more eap^cmlly treat of the coarage which formed her chief 
character! stiCn The Princess appears to have justilied even in 
childhood the verses composed in her praise, which desoriho 
her graces of mind nod CDaatier. The desct^tidaiit of b line uC 
warriors she dii^played from an early age that generosity oE 
spirit aud temerity for which her forefathers bad been di»- 
tinguifihed, and which she inherited io a remjukahle degree 

She was at home and a frequent guest in the dwellings of 
the pooref^t anJ meaneat of the peasanta, where her bright 
smile aod fitvectnesa of disposition made her over welcome. 
With uo thought of fear she ventured with all the coi^tidcncdfl 
tliat innocence inepiree into quarters, whicb in those wild 
times when roLbery and murdur were of common occurrence*^ 
wfiro coDdidered unsafe except for armed pedestrians;. N^l 
harm ever camo to the child, and the sunshine of her manner, 
with ita air of infantine truthfulness, won fer her the love oud 
admiration of all those with whom she came in contact- Sveii 
the most lawluau aud dt^praved of her sulijtjcts, and in those 
days the best were but rough in manner and Bpeech, held her 
in reverence and would have given their lives io defeud^theu 
darling little Count^v^s from insult or injury. 

Beatrice nob only permitted hut even encouraged MudtdaT 
to visit the sick and poor and to find pleasure In alleviating 
the povert}' which, in that age o£ diacord and strife, was but 
too proval^Di It waa a wise policy on the part of tho: 
Countcea thus to allow tho ohiid to mingle freely with tl 
people over whom she would one day role* for it brought hi 
into closo communication with their habits aud needsn No 
motives of self-interest induced Beatrice to follow thib hroad 
method of loading hor little daughter in the paths of phili 

50 



"1 

at 



L 





Early Studies 



L 



thropj.nor WM it ondartftkea to court popul^iy. The nfttural 
imperious apirit which the heiroos of the Margr&vce hftd 
derived Irom hor onccabors, and wliich hod been incited by 
Bonifftcc, hod ^Teo &t thftt otirly age bc^n to ruaert itaelf. It 
w«LS to chvek thin pomicionB ^t>wth that hor mother a;tnidii-> 
wutly cultivated in hef youog mind that true chanty vhlfib 
*vaajat4^th not \UicW' 

Hf^ren, which had ao literally doalt with Matilda in otb«r 
wAy«, wa« equally gnnerous in tho endowment of tnentftl 
powers, and ahe nobly r^^ponded to tbc gifta which had been 
to lnviHhly be^towod upon her, Witit a conct^ntnittoD which 
wai remarlcBbtf- for bftr yeai^ she applied herself with soch 
untiring vigourand [mtiericeto her studies that Donir^o seeina 
to be never weitry of alugiug the pruises of hie docile pupils 
II« deacribfia her aM ba^in^ an iu^^LiaLle thirat for knowledge 
Ubd 80 being particularly talented in her m&fttery of foreign 
lAsgnagcA. 

ALthrjU];h Matilda'9 daya were parsed ia tbc acqaiaitloD 
of knowledge, which atreugthuned her memory and de- 
veloped h^T mind, her education did not end there. It in- 
dadod the EDOat e«4entitbl poant of a child'a training— that 
of Uie control of th<t will and its subjection to the intellect 
Under the ^pjidftuoo of her pious niothcjr oitd able and holy 
t<*eherH this applicAtionof the moral law was ever kept in 
vi«w uid form^ tbu basis of her religions edueoiion, Thufi 
the wma &nned to resist the temptations to which her high 
birth and richer i^ipoM^d ber, Jiud the two groateflt faculties 
with which Ood hftH endowed flls creatures were Lrongbt 
Into haimonious anion with Hin WilL 

Wlwii the Quurt moved within tJie Bee of Lucca Bishop 
Aniteluj came to the odd of Bcotrico, and togcthor they spent 
iu»ny honm with thdt charge instructing her in thc^oli^y. the 
tenets of which were not so clcarjy defined tbcn ae they arc 
DOW> In the trnditicna of the early Chriation wntert, 
Ui^ttlda learned, but through a less easy procoee, th^ eamc 
doctrines which ore advanced by tho Church at the proaont 
day> III thi.* di?votional worka of the andent Christian poets 



Matilda. Countess of Tuscanv 



more H 
r th«l 



slui Lrao^d the same words of faitli aitU Iovl* which, for 
tlian fifteen hundred yeam, h^ve cheered the hoarU of 
faithful. 

TheHR extensive literary roHeareheH implied a tLorougb 
acqaAiQtance with the cJ^bsIcs upoD which they vcr^ based 
ftud which were included in thfi liat of Matilda'^ almost 
FabuloQB acquirement. 

Inthoaedaya euch familiarity with the dead lan^uogeo 
was rarely met with beyond tho cloiBtcrs aod therefore in a 
woman — a girl — Wda ospceially rDnmrkabl&. 

Matilda, in spite of her various atadiee, atill retained th« 
natural nvaoity of youth, nor did ahe allow her learoinj^ to 
eclipse those winTiing manners whieh add such a charm to 
life, anrl whieh were a source of so much comfort to her gentle 
mother. The growth of her affectionate and tmaelfiab nature 
remained untheckod, and of her it might be written in the 
words of Tloly Scripture, ahe " increased in windum and 
stature and in favour with God and man." 

Donizo took keeu interest in the pro^n-e^ nf hie pnpil, and 
the gradual unfolding of her character was Ui htm ewr a 
source of wonder aud pride. In the verses, of which th« 
followiog is a free translation, he deacrihee her in the quoint 
but ftflbctiombte tenn^ he invariably uacd when writing of 
tho 'joy of her race." 

" To all ihe spoke even f/t i^t^ moinHt iHthout a inunuurr 
G«ltll^ jnyful tind qf n happy frame of mind- 
Sbe dJctfttcd buoLa, riht a^iki; ihv TvutuiiJD luiguogv, 
III ?Vi>nHi i\.U\t «ho wjkH very w«M vortod. 
Nddc rnoTn atiidiouji thao she and fond of booksk 
Of whioh ir\i9 abauiKltd, aad at aII irU and tcianGM, 
ta th« inidflt of her marj kbourw und in miad happy.'' 

During tho time that Matilda, under the shelter iif hor 
mother's wing, was titling herself for the Jiigh poffition which 
ehe would one day be called upon to fill, Pope Victor had 
thrown himself with zeal into the arduous work of Uhurch 
govc^mment. So ahsorht'd was he in the ccnscientiouB fuliiJ- 
ment of tho many duties which hia tciak entailed Uiat h« 



I 





Industry of Victor 



L 



AJk)w«d ]iiiDA«)l but littJe Ume for roat or leisure. Even th« 
few boars of privacy which tho cloao of day clainicd for liim 
wvre not apont io roliuciktjcn, nor were his oighba jtivod Qp to 
repow. When the darkoniug shadowB of evoning fincoQtfcleU 
ihd twilight, whun nil souads wore giloticed and the cHy s\epi, 
iHi? PopG *lone kept lonely vigU. Allowing but a few hours 
for aleep be utilised the r&mftiDder in the pureait of Htudi>?a 
which the many dialractpioiis of the pontil^oate prevented him 
from enjoying d^og the flay, 

Abnorhed though he ¥fa8 hyhis iiinltifanoaB engagementB. 
he hftd Dob lost sight of h!e fridudti In Tuscany, who had not 
riait<il Ronie £juce his elevation had ended their exUen 'Iho 
accoQnt^. howevern giveu hy HtldehroDd and other holy men 
who visits Cnn(>^a> of the mental development of Matilda 
Bffonjod him much satiafaotiou. Tho desoriptiooe he rocoived 
of the edifying hvea epcnt by mother and child filled hia 
beMi with joy. They reminded him ao forcibly of the p«iLce 
of tha doietcr. that he yi:sarELod to bo once again within th« 
narrow limits of hi« coll in clo&e communion with hia God. 
HaviDf pnt his hand to the plough, however, there wag no 
tornlng back, and with atead3' guidance and discerning eye 
ho prepared the furrows for the feceptioD of the good aced 
whteh waa to yi»ld frnit a hundredfold. 

Ndiber hia oataral timidity nor bodily weaknesa 
hindemd him in the abern path of duty, lukd he thrnw hia 
wboJe Boul into the taak of carrying oat the reformn of hia 
prcd^ceeaors. Ilia energy waa nutiring. He conTencd 
ootmcit after courtcil m order U* call the Bishops and clergy 
together and di«cuaa witli them the best methods of correct- 
ing tho w)d^-irprcad abuaes of the time. 

The moat heinoua of thcHc waa that of aimony which had. 
by itc inndiona example and ccrrupting intlucncos, tamiahcd 
tho niitraa of the majority of the German Biehope. 

The Emperor rendered all the aaeistanco in his power to 
hit 1at« ehoDcijllor and r^RoIutely flet hifi face agalust the 
appointment in Q^rnnany of Riflhops whose lives did not 
conform to the religion they profea^ed. Addr«6aicg the 



Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 



I 



CoQQcil of Cocfllance he eml^odiL^J h'ffi ojiitiiotte m the fotloV'- 
iDg wonia, oepociaJiy mtoDdod for bhoeo prcsont who w^ro 
auepvtiUd of KJroony: " Ve who ought to be a bicseing to all 
around you degr&de yourstjlves by covetousn^t^s, and advance 
both by buying and avIJing holy things. My own father, for 
whose 80q1 I Am in Just trouble/' eominued Henry. " wfta too ■ 
often guilty of this sin^ but be it known to you all, that he 
who shall henceforth be alaJned wtth thir^ aotl ulmtl be cut off 
from the BervJce of Cod. For it is by jiriLcliees eucL aa these 
that plague aud vr&r and faiuiue ace dravvo upon Datiuus.*" 

Tbua Pope. Emperor and Cmrdinnla wcix^ u&iUd by & 
chord of aycap&thy m the re[>resfliou of a Bio which tike fr 
deadJy disnade wa» Buppiog the nioral life of the prelacy and 
by ita cxtQuaivc ravaged threatened the very throne of St 
Peter. 

Victorwhohad nnfaillug tru»t jntheroontd and icduenee 
of Hitdcbrfind eenl him to make a tour throughout Frooco is 
order to f^rapple with the evil which, thoujfb uot universal 
in that as in other coantri^, h»d madu ita appearance ia 
several of the Sees, 

The Legate, thniigh an inveterate foe to the practice of 
stmouy, was t^niarkable for the forbvaiance nnd even tender* 
naas whic)i he ex-tended towards thosi.^ who attempted to 
diaengagB them selves from its venomous grasp. 

He made it an iavanable rule to act at the oatset witlk 
gcDtle perauasion. pointing out to the wrong-doers the e 
they were perpetuating aud wliich would survive Iheui to thft 
detriment of religion and to the danger of the Ohurch. 
"No one/* remarked HiJdebrand, "reaches the lughoet 
rank at a simple spring; groat cditices riBO gradcAlIy/* and 
ho might have added tut a eummary of his poUoy, '* Great 
reforraa are effected slowly/' 

Tho ago roquiri^d hiin," oomments the hietotian over 

eight centuries after the Reformer had parsed to his reward. 

"Ann^witb tho uxnetiun of pontifical authoi-ity, and with 

Ul8 power of his own mighty intellect, the Apostle went 

■ lift <i/ Qnffwy VIL AL Ab^-l Freufoif TUlumAia, J87^ 

f4 



I 



L 




Heresy of Berengarius 

forth, aninukk-d with that buTDiugzoAlandanfiuichiDg vigour 
which were hia ch&racteriHUflft." 

The C«rdmAl, acting in bin capAciij &s Lcigatc^ eummoswl 
ft eoODcil at Lyf>Ttii. and iti unsparing tcnaa denounced UiO§0 
who hod weakly Bllowod tbcmeeJvca to be corrupted by 
promiflo oi vcwanl, 

OiM of tbc Bialiops accueed of having* received bribes 
denied the crime Laid to hut chArj^o, and tliougb he wiu 
knnwn to be guilty th^ro were no witneefies to substftDtiftto 
the fact Hildebrand, e*^'^^^S ^°°& '^^ iiftdJy at the haugbty 
prplat^ at length rose to hJs feet and with majestic mien 
tmaed hia hand to HLem the denials wliich fell from Uiit con- 
fident 1ip8. '' There is one way, my hod," e&id he^ '* to ailence 
all the doubt:* of your innocence and that le by reciting with 
me the Gi<:rm/' Bc^ltglUt^d at Ihe app&rent HimpIicJty of the 
icdt tho Bishop readily complied, but when he caroe to the 
nftine of the Holy Ghoat, which reminded hJm of the 
ScriptttnU dconnciation oE the additional eiu he was about to 
commit,' he faltered and turned pale, And hia trembling lips 
refujMd to nttor tho wordo.' Casting himsolfi full of Gon> 
trition, at tho feet of his judges he poured out bofore thorn 
all a eonfessicD of his guilt and received absolution at the 
hand« of Hlldobrandr who wept tears of joy at the return of 
th« p«nit«nt 

In evAry eity through which he travelled the Legate 

pablicJy attacked with vigour the violation of the privileges 

of the Church, sparing no one of whatever rank whom lie 

considered deserved ilenundatjon. Wm own lively faith and 

aonterity of life made vico appear j^q dc^pimblc in iiia oyee, 

thaU though bid soul yearned for the recoadliaiion of tha 

ofleodor, hia pure mind would allow of no compromise 

beiWMQ themnner&nd the tua "Ho inflicted chastiscmenta 

at tho call of justice, he made rolcntiec^ war on Bimony 

adolttfiy &nd the contempt of divine and human lawa." 

' " AU majiacr of im luid bluplivn^T nlinll b? ff^ri^Wi-ii unto mec* liat 
(Itft Mviifhcuir a^nit ihe n«lj Ohoat nhalJ aol hr fOTj^ivvn unto mm.* 
-Mirr. ait. 41. 

* lm$9ft/$9SaiMiM. AlUuBiilWr. 

55 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

RildeSraLd'G ttnttirAl diecrimiD&tion g&ve blm h profotind 
insight into tht: frailties of htimnn nntur^ and enaMed tiini 
to discern with unerring eye the Dobility or weuikneBS of 
character t)f those with whom h« was brought into conUictF- 
Thisgifl renderod him u powerful mibagouiHt in the many 
combftts which he was called upon to wftge agaicet the 
Achiams, which in all ages have perr^rted tho tenets of the 
Church. 

Ere hia rt^tun^ to It&ly his abtention was drawn to tho 
heresy of Bor^nsariuH, which denied ths Heal Presence ia 
the Eucharist and which had found many ^npportera is 
France. 

From the pnlpit Gildebrand hurled hia dennnciftt-iona 
against BO erroneous a doctrine and reminded his heart-rfiol 
the ffftrfiil account they would h.avo hereafter to render if, 
hy itg promulgation, they caused the weak ones of tlie fold 
to l>e mialed^J He insisted on the awful responsibility they 
incnrred who sought to deprive the Church of the greatest 
blessing which Ood hhtt given to Hifj creatures — that of His 
tiontinual Presence in their midnt.'' 

Before tlie logical reasonings and irrefutable argaioenta ol 
Hildebrand all donbte were dispelled, and even Berengannfl 
hinualf, oonadcace'Sbriclcen and remorseful, ackuowleJged bis 
«ror 

The Ltigatc, drawn to his full hmght and 6Ued with 
impassioned fervour for hia faiths aHowocI bis stern and 
piercing eye to wander over tho Hstonini; 1nu1titud<^0. But 
though he seemed to tho people, who had hung breatbleas' 
upon hia words, to eearch their very thoughts, he mot with 
DO sign or gesture, even in that vast aseemblage, of either 
unotMlainty or dissent 

I It U rtnord'xl by three of tlie Evnc^li»tA that for Mtich a mrta "U 
wnre bellflr for hiiu lUxt ft laiJbv^ne wcro htagcil nViout hu neck iind 
Ihftihr were cMt into the ao*."—Qoi/Bible»MjLTT-xriiL 6 ; Mahk^U, 43;' 
Lent, ivii, i, 

* ^ho, I nm with ton oIwayh ttv^Q onto tho«Dct of tb? vi^rld," are the 
ircrda vith which 8t Matthew oODCliulca Kia CloDpfl. Tbpy were 
ftltihMt the luL wDidfl of o^iufurt aiUrvMvd by our Lord to Hi" ifiBcipIo^ 
had which lierou>^Hua by 1ij« Uachiog j|t|pviapt«d t<j dinprovc. 



I 



Zeal of Hildcbrand 



[)c«ectidin^ (rom the pulpit UiJdobrond conbiouod the 
c«Jcbr&tioa of the Mmb which hin eerition had intcrmptod. 
Wb«D, a<X!ording to tho ntu»U ho oonsccrntcd tho brciul ^uid 
wia« the full eGiue of the onorraity of the h^icey burst upon 
him. Hie aoul aS^me with onthuaiMin h« raisod the chalice 
ahova his h^sA in thd eipibt of kII " Mud thus corapelled the 
crowd to rdnd^r hamage to th« Real Presence," 

Tb« Iffison was not lost upon the Clinrch which alwaja 
appropHftt&a fo its service aught thftt^ coiiduc^H to (ho glory 
of Ood. In thp cAnon of the Uoha Lh<; upliftiug of the Host 
in viow of bhtf con^rregatioQ is Hbill ohseived. 

When in one country th^i Mnflsee cf^iuvi lut tho day 
&dv&ucefl they t^n commcacing in another. &ad thitn aII uver 
the world there ia "a contiauona sacrifico and uplifting of the 
bttada^* In cAch of th<^e cetcbrjttioiir« ih the movement of 
Hildebrasd repeated and a bell ntug to warn the people of 
the AoLcmn act about to i&ko place. The chalice is lifted to 
Che forehead, 8ifl;ni1icADt of the fact that at that moment the 
laiolket bowe to faith &nd oeknowJedgcw tho Pi^eoncd of ita 
Ood. " Thus tint goHture remains in the liturgy " remarlcM a 
ProUstAnt writer, "and partakes of immortftlity." 

Hildebraud'a eflbrts to restore order and discipline unong 
thr Fnmch clergy, both lay and cloiBtered, were everywhere 
narked with a signal Euccess. " He set ahont reducing to a 
perfectly organised ayateri the idea of the supremacy of the 
Church over the State and the Pnpe over the Clmrch/' Hia 
zeal wa« Gontagiood axid iniparted itsalt alike to the BiMiops 
and to the flocks cominitted to their charge. Ills ezithilsiwiRi 
roGwd the c&reteda from the iiiditTer&uce into which they hnd 
unooBBCJcu&ly fallen, and bis example inspired them with 
somewhat of hia own spirit of high resolve. 

He had scarcely concluded his mission when, to tho regret 
of all France, he reoeircd nrgoot m^aagOB recalling him to 
Rome- Evcntit of great moment were unfolding themEcIves, 
and it waa rec^aftry fi>r the temporal well-being of tho 
Charch that someone «hoald be at hand to assume the r^ 
apoD«)blUty ^f their dir»ction. 

5? 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

The first of these incidents was the unexpocted death of 
the EmperoT- 

Tbe PodUIT h&d repaired to QermftDy, at the lEvitation of 
the manarcli. in order to effect a reconcdliatiou with several of 
the Dobloa who had revottt^d from Uieir allcgiattce. Hd had 
falfiUed his nuAaion and spent Eoater with Henry* the last 
that either lived to celebrate, and had scarcely returned to- 
Kome when the ncwB of hia friend's death reached hini' 

When still in the Ealcess of caauhood, and with a gEcriooa 
futore b&fore htm, the Empt^rcr had parsed away, leaving 
behind him a character so reiuarbable for tho obeervanoc of 
his reli^on that the Charch has mailo the odditoa of ^* Pious " 
to his nami?. The heir to the crown was a aon th^n in his 
Heveoth year who^ nnder the title of Henry IV. became thus 
early and unhappily the head of an imperial court in a war- 
like anrJ oormpt- age. Hp was at first entrusted to the care 
of hia mother — u relative of the French king. Agnes wua & 
highly -cultivated, religious and amiable woman, but totally 
unBt to guide so wilful a spirit as that of the little monarch. { 
He waH a i^htld of atruug will. p&bfiiLiuate and proud, but alaO 
v(un ftud weak with a varying temperament which needed ^ 
firm and judicious training, and of this the Empress was in- 
capnblc* Still Ic^e was she succe0«fiil id ^Uto policy, and hor 
i|2;norancc and mismanagement of public affaire fostered tbai 
disalTcction among the nobles which led in after yeore to' 
thoir rebellion against the throne. 

Such WOM the state of affairs whidi prccc<lcd Rildebrsnd's 
recall, which was rendered the more imperative from the 
faillDg health of the Pontiff, The death of the Emperor was 
ft great blow to one of auch a clinging nature as Victor, and 
it became evidt^nt^ even to the cioBt careh^aa observer, that hd^fl 
would not loDg survive his friend. The Pope was uaturaUy 
deliiTAts, niid ho had been so unspAring of hi« «tTength thnl, 
although be was atill m the prime of life, he became com- 
pletely prostrated by the two yearn' labour of Tiis ponti^oat«. 
The newr4 of his illness at such a crisis caused rtgrct and 
uneasiness throut^hout Italy and espcciallv in ^luscany. 



I 



L 




Death of Victor II 



Bcatrioe ecnt him an invitation to yioronce^ whitber at 
her OTf^ot cntrcAty be repaired in hopca of reatoricg his 
ooofttitutioD which wae, however, eh&ttcrud bcyoii<l all hopca 
of r«ov«ry. "In the leaiy voiloy of thu Amo, io a geiitl<i, 
cnhdatatinc; ooontij, ainid low hilie covorod with vineyards," 
he Vmffdred for A while until, to the ^out grief of Matilda 
and ber motber, bis ^ntle spirit )>a^od iLWAy on July 26, 
105T, 

The freedom of the Cbarch Uy near Victor's h^art, untl 
wbilp on the niek^bed^ from which he vf&s awaro he would 
Hue no more on eurlb, he occupied hla mind in revolving 
wbidi amon^ the elergy would contribuUs In the lorgeat 
DUatarc of eufcen^ U^ her cmAncipation. 

It was usnot at thai period for the lont daya of the 
PonliSB to be distre^eef) by the responsibility of ooniinfiting 
A sooceMor who would protect the rigbi« ^nd privileges 
pertAining to tbe Holy Sec Their wooriod braina were not 
allowed the repose which they sought in vain, but wore 
CODat*ntly reviewing the eituatian, not Eta Te}>;ardod them- 
mIvw, but OS it most ixfleet«d the welfaru of tho Churcli- At 
the preeenlday coQlestaaUo&l law relieves the Fontitfe of ^ia 
proeaing core, aud even makee it tmp04»ibl« for tJiom to 
Dominat« their euocessora who are exclueively elected by tho 
vot^ of the UardinnU, 

To Victcr'a witisfaction the t^hoica was not difficnib to 
make, and having fixefl upon t\ve mun beat Btbed to undor> 
tokfi tbn load of ponti^cal care, ha was deniroua that thera 
aliould be do obatHcle placed in the wAy of his election. 

At the Mumtuona of tho Pope, Hildebrund and the Cardinals 
lep^red immediately to Tmicaoy to consult with bim on 
tbe snbjeci which engroaBud WtA tboughtfi, EUid, aa in the oaae 
ol his predeceesor, held tbcir council around hi« dying bed 

Victor BU^geeted to their doliboration the nomo of cno 
whom ho believed would provo a worthy and capablo oeeapant 
of the chair of St PctcCr and proceeded to lay before thorn 
tbo raavone for bis aeleetioOr 

SonM time prttviouflly, when maktD^ a pontiScat joumey 



I 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

tfiruu^hout Italy, he had occasion more than once (o 
himftdE af the ho^^ntoliiy of ihn monks of Monte Ueiq^hO^' 
one of whom was destined to bo hia eucoesaor. 

Tho tnoDJutory, built upon the site of a temple dedicated 
to Apollo, waaattuaied upon tho slopes of a mouotaia about 
fifty miles from Naples. It wftd founded by St Benediot 
early in tlie aiicth century, and odo of its branchos was th^t 
of Cluny, ID which retrofit Hildebrand had been traio^d.' 

Monte C&Jiamo was renowned for the fine arts which w^r6 
nurtured witbin itn doisters, where the roooks especially 
eicellnd in the UluiniDatianA of manusoripU and in mn&ic^ ^ 
Here, too, with neat cAligraphy and with much painstaking j 
and labour, were compiled the chronicl^-s nnd BnnaU of th&t 
and previous ttiues, which have been pteHerved and which 
have proved of invaluable service to eucceediag historians 
and ftntiquivrians. fl 

During his visite to thia centre of industry, the Pontiff 
had beeu much impressed by tho lo&rned cnnvcrjsatioUt courtly 
manners and sanctity of ono of the brethren. 

This wuti Junvan Fradonc of tho house of Lorraine, 
brotlier of Beatrice and a near relative of the yoong Germ&a 
King, 

III thoae days there w^re but two profuiio&B ope& 
acioQs of tkohlc families, that of Arms or theology, l^derio 
beitig of too weakly a constitution to enter upon the bard-fl 
ahipB of a mililAry traiuing hjkd enterttd the cloister when 
young, Th<*re he remsineUj rnther lui a student than a. monk, 
ainoe he had bound himself by no vows to the BenedicUnsfl 
Order. 

Victor waa so charmed by tho prince's piety and by bis 
d«Btrc to enter upon the Mrvic« of the Church, that on hi 
laat vtfiit he had raised him to the dimity of Cardinal prtoa' 



> At nn<« Limu there wrv no 1ai» I^aq A7,U(JD hoitini vhioh twUno^ 
»lth>r lo the BmiMlEctiDe Ordrr or ilh lirani^ht:**. lliHtory lusiirrv ub that 
thtJtr inmnlM hnvi.* nt ilifTnreTit |wnfl(U mdiiilTsS mJDlH, pnp^iB, rniporor^ 
•mpJvHn, kinc^, ijneenH, prioi^e^, princjvim, wntfin of itoto kud ropn- 
■QDUtivn cf I'Vpry hrahct; at lit«nitur«^ arL nnd wrivoov, (rbo oa't 
*Tnbm*''Hl thh nilni»f thair Order- 



1 




i 



Election of Stephen IX 

This was the m&n whom the Pope ^ggested aa liifi siicct^fieor, 
and hU dying wiiUit--H were complied ivith by the unftnirnity 
of the council. 

C»riiiQal Frrd^ric, tobrilly unconscious of the hon^nur in* 
teodod for hiui, wok wreiiely hftppy in the life be hod choaeu 
and iu wbtch. ttxcept for occofliouul visits to hiiv sister and bcr 
cEiild, he won oblivious vl &iJ the world. Absorbed in bia 
atodiea ftnd hid devotions be had givcu no tboiagbt to eCQl«n- 
uBoal Rflkim boyond tb^ monastery, and hiEi abaoncc ircia 
VletoKfi beddidc had left him in if^oranoo of hie election. 
Wboo, bhorcforo, tbo brotbrcn interrupted hia muniu|^ with 
the tatoundios; mtellijfeuco it fell upon him with the euddeu- 
iwM aiMJ Kbock of au oarthquiko» 

In the prince -Catdm&l there existed do pride of race or 
trfrjcily, And hie g«DtU, retiring digpcwition rcNcitiblod that of 
DCstrice, to ivhotn hv woii mui.Oi uttacbed. His simple Ronl 
clung to his retreat vrlth the pertinacity of ivy nnd oould 
only be torn theoee by an irreeistiblu force tigainiil which it 
wwi oaeleaa to appeal Thi^ waa, in fA,ct, the crdeal to which 
ho waa imbjcctiH), for eo pertinaciously did he rnfn^e to ^juit. 
hia oetl that the OnrdinnU wi>re ohligod to have biiu ctiuveyMl 
Ibaikoe by reaolate bearerH. !□ this ignomiuious fashioo he 
waa eondocted to the council, wbicli 9toiuewbat im|mticntly 
had ftwaited lua arrival io Rome. Frederic found the streets 
lined with people who, however mach they nymjjathiftc*! with 
bia reluctance to accept bio august oiEc^^, cculd not fail to be 
atroek by the noble appearance of the I'opo-elcot, 

Od hifl entrance into the eonneil chamber the Cardinala 
roaa to their feet nnd greotod biro with every token of cordial 
reapeet Takini;; hU humility, a rare virtue in those days, aa 
a traih proof of hi* fitueivi, they elected him to HU the throne 
In the very city wber« the Cieaara had ruled id their over- 
boariug prida 

Once aj^in Matilda, nour a demure ntaiden who had 
eDior<ed upon bcr i^welfth year, won present at the o^jronation 
of a PontiiT, the excitement of the proceedings beinj; much 
eahaocod by the happinr^ of meeting her frieud Hildcbraud. 

61 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Once a^aiu. AccompaDied by her mother, ahf^ formed part 
of a vast and misod o^scmbbgc dr^wn from all patta of Italy 
and Earopo. Minglod toother in piotureeque oortfuflidtfl 
vr^rfi Cardioals, Bishops and ubbotfi, priocca, nobles and 
diatioguifihed membera of the laity who hftd oome to bfi_. 
present at the impreesive ceremony. V| 

The long proceeaioii, which included the TuBcan princesses, 
escorted by a cavalen^le of knights, slowly wound its way tr> 
Sao Qiovanni Lalerano or St John LaUran. This building, 
founded hy Constat] tine in ^W. wa^ overthrown by an earth- 
quake Dcady six huudret) year? later, but mete from its raina ^ 
to be the Metropolitan church of the Holy Bee, the '* Mothei^ 
and llt^ of the cliurcho?!/* ' For a thousand years it waa 
lihe residence of the Popes and within its walla they were 
crowned and inducted into the poaaesaion of St Peter's 
throne. M 

Hither, thcii. the proceaaion wended its way through the^ 
duaty alreeta of Kotue, followed by the deafoninf; ehouta of 
the ho I id ay 'loving eiti^fiens. The only heart whieh failed to 
participate in the universal rejoiciiige wad that which beat h 
within the breast of the Pon tilt himself , V 

Regardless lUike of his repeated and fervent protests And 
hie evident reluctance^ to ascend the throue, bu was pnhliely 
crowned under the title of StepheD IX, amid the acclama* 
tionfi of the jubilant crowd, ■ 

Once the ceremony wiis cuncluded BtepH<*n r^fllis^ that 
it waa n^ielesa, and even harmful to ihi; Church, to prolnu^ 
hia resij^tance. With a farewell Hjgh for the peaceful cell he 
had ijuitted for ever, ho proceeded with a wise detemii nation 
to take ap Iho threads of duty as they come nearest to hia 
hftnd. Wfl 

His reign, though unfortuaatoly tricf in its duration, was 
n very boay one and juE^titied, by itfl prudent application of 
ncclesiofitical law, tho choice which the late Pontiff had made 
of a worthy succ4Aitor, With jttato^niiLTi-liko policy ho set 
lumself to follow in the Fwtstepe oi hia predeceefiors, 

' Jf<it<r ct C^p%i iouio4iAriiitik, 
61 




Celibacy of Clergy 



hmd t«ch Mill ftll FelL the n^eil of roform in tbe conduct of 
Ph{)&l elecLions. Especiallf he direct^ bis fitteoUoD to (he 
drutic enforcement of Uie niles of their onlers in the varioiu 
BKuutoboncs and com muni tii^s, nnd poised s^vcr^ \a.vi& which 
prohibited the dur^y to marty, "It woa not enough," r»- 
mark-t the hiatorinn, *' that the Pontiff hitim<<]f waa a man of 
parity L he roquirt^d th&t the lovpoet clones shouiJ lead u 
■poU«w life." 

Id earryinf^ out his plans Stephen hod an able coadjutor 
in Peter DiLmiiui, who, though unwilUugly, h4ul at Hiv 
express deair« of the Pcppe accepted the See of OstiiL The 
BinhQp'fi oWrvanco of ^trkt dtBcipline hod ^v«n hiin n 
European cekhrity and cammed him to be held in reverential 
rvBpect by thosa wlioso long-coutinued habits of aelf-indiilgrnoe 
prevented them from following his onample. *' Thi^y adiuut^d 
ID him" humoroD&ly remarks the critic, "the virtues which 
Uioy were incapable ol imitating/' The prehite himaolf 
writM 00 follows of the timea in which he hvod ; " The days 
of modcstyi mortilicatioo and BAccrdotal ewv^rity arc gone. 
I MB cahamed to montioD still more disgraceful disordcra— 
hunting, hawking and the like passion for gamcn of chance 
which transform a Biidiop into a buffoon. One day when 1 
waa travelling with the Bishop of Florence ' I was told that 
he waa pUyiug a gnm^ of chesa. 1 was shocked tc the heart 
ftod took an <tar)y opportunity bo show him how unbecoming 
Ach an amiuement was in a man whose hand offers np the 
body of our Lord, and who*>e tongue renders him tlie mediator 
betweefi God and luao, enpei^ially as the canons forbid nil 
games to a Bishop. He replier), ' Tbey only forbid gaitkea of 
cbancie/ but I matutained that they apply to all. He at 
length yielded and begged me to impoGe a penance upon htm. 
I ordered him to recite the psalter three times, to wneh the 
foet oE twelve poor men and to give each of them a penny, 
and thufi to repair the ain ho had committed with his handa 
and tongue." ' 

■ Pr^bftbly lh« IjOv PontilT VjcU^r wbii luid IM bliBt !^c^ 
*>3 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscanv 



1 

imed ■ 
aoon I 



Stephen's other couctstfllor. Hildebrjuidr had returned 
shorUy after the coroniilum to Cluny, where he was 
immersed in his stadiesand occupied with the affairs of the 
moiitutery. Hia spirit and infltjQiiue, however, were still at 
St PtiterXfiJid wd learu that he mainly directed the ecclcfii- 
aaticol buamesa tranoactrid within the Papal prcoiacta. 

The Pontiff wa^ tuceB^aatly engaged in cotubating the 
social and spiritual cvih of his day aad in franuu^ lavrd for 
tha guidanco of hie Bock, Gousamod with ardour for the 
oaoae of the Chnroh Jic uJlowod himaolf no respite f ram tbo 
lurthdraoce of her advancemeni. At bngth Ut the cod- 
stQmation of the Car^^nala and the j;;:rief of hiB frienda be 
btsgau to ahow signs of eoUapflii under the heavy strain. An 
illness followed which rendered him physicaUy tintit to bear 
Uie many fatigues and anxieties which were inseparable from 
bis position. Aware thai he had hot a feeble ^asp upon the 
threads of life he became solicitous leat the throne he had 
eo reluctantly ascended should in the event of hia deatti remaia 
vacJintorbeci>ine usurped by uuuiiwortby occupant, Stephen, 
who liad not fiiuU in bit* mind uimn a Hucceeaor, reacilved to 
refer the matter to the wisdom of Ilildebrnud id whom he 
reposed, oa had hia predecestiors, unlimited reliruice. Trusting, 
therefore, to the discretion of the " Itefonuer/' as he was 
d«ai^at^, he cauaed him to be recalled to Kome, and «ftcr 
giving him foil iustractiona despatched him as a Legate to 
Oonuany, in order that nomination mijErbt he mndu of d 
suitable candidate, 

Stephens own elevation to the Holy See followed so 
oloaely upon the death of the Emperor that it wew probably 
owing to the unsettled condition of the government ut that 
period that uo reference to his accession appears to bavo 
been [oxde to the impenal court. The embASsy, therefore*, 19 
remarkable as beiug the last occasion on which Oerm&ny wna 
asked to dominate the Papal elections, Qenceforih Lhe 
conneut of the titnpire yivm uot coualdered necessary Ut the 
crowning of a I'ontitl' freely chosen by the Cardinals nud 
Boman citizens. 



I 

I 
I 
I 
I 
I 

1 



Stcphea'$ Appeal 



ScftttiAljr hod Hildebriind tnlrert luN depfirbure from tho 
Oipitol than A QOT fear &&dfiiItHl the Holy Fatlicr Scj 
nervoufi did lie become lest Any tiproor should take place at 
hifi dcub UiM he ccDVQDed a couuciJ to Uke sU^p^ to prcveni 
(uny anficcmly controversy bctvreen the spiritu&l und tcmpcrAl 

Among the flbeaembly present wore the Tuscan priDccEGCs 
who had come an a visit to Kom«i m consaqu^nce of mmoars 
of the Pop«'s illness Bcntnee wnn deeply coneertied at the 
nMkrk^d chuxigo which nine short months hnd inftde iit the 
appt^flmnoo of her bvlovud Lruthur — tho laat of bcr Fninily. 
TfaroQgh tear-dimmed eyes ehe looked upon his bowed And 
AEDoeiated form during hla alcjw prmgrcBS and not«d with 
sorrow the tottering steps with wliich be ascended the throne 
for the Ift&t Lime. A smile of ineffable peace lUnmined bie 
wui feAttuee u if already the burdtn of life were alipping 
fran hhn, ftnd already ho wa^ feeling the eenae of roiitf at 
Ihe appToaoh of hia well-earned rest. la weak btit clear 
toooVi which wero div^tinctly bf^iLtvl by nil, he made a puhlio 
appeal to the Roman cl(>r^'y and peopk that, in the event of 
tbo throne being vacont during the absence of the L^gnU;, 
U fiboold remain tbna nntil hh r^lnm. 

It ti [KHuiblu that Step1ii?ii di^^lrrd Htldnbrnnd for Inn 
aneeeflBor, and. it may he, had mentiooed his wish to the 
newly^nkmle Cardinal -dt!*criD during ihn l^ng nniHultaticm 
which preceded bta departiirOp Ilildebrand's logical reoson- 
inga Against hia elevation would naturally triumph over the 
personal f««lings of the sick PontitT. At the aamc time, 
Stephen may have ucuriohod bopuA that the imperial dtoice 
woold oooDCidd with his own, and thorefcre he himself mado 
DO fqrthcr tlVort for bis advanoemenL "Thus OildebroDd 
already roignod*" says a contemporary of th« CardiniLl who 
wrot« cbese words aixteeD y^ars before his coronation, *' by 
his virtDee, and none could hope for tha pontifical tliron« 
axottpt by confomiUig to the austere rtJee professed by that 
noble monk.'' 

Stephen's predjcUoua as to his approacbing death were 
B 6j 



k 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

unliappilj fulfilled even EOoner tli&a lio tLubjoi paled. In the 
hopoa of reaewiDg his failing slrcngth be repaired, at the 
<iDtreatioa of Bt>atno«, to Taacany. A]&« ! the fatigoca of the 
jonmey and tbe annvoidable joltings over the rough and 
uneven toada wore too much for his ahaltcr^^d frauio, and 
when ha reached Florence U was ovident he was Bmking fast. 
The Connteea and Matilda, who bitt a abort time eicce bad 
beoD present at hk coronation, remained with him to the last, 
aad received his apostolic blessing. He passed away m the 
nrms of Hugo, Abbot of Cluny, with his lost breath repeating 
Ilia charge to this clergy with regai-d Ut Lis successor. 

"The Qjiportuoity Uiua unexpectedly presented to the 
factl^na of the day to elect a t'ope of their own chooaing." 
rtm'irlcB the historian, "was too good to be lost," and 
Btepheu'e dying request waa diflrogarded, Ouce before the 
powerful Counts of Tusculum, a district about 6ftcou miJca 
from Rome, had foruished an onti-popo who, under the title 
of Benedict VIII., had uguri)ed the chair of St Peter. Thoy 
were now determined that a man named Contt, a relative of 
one of their partlttins and of the same family as the former 
intruder, should be the new Pontiff. They collected their 
followers, who were armed and numerous, aod set off for the 
city of the Cwisars. 

Couti hi.[naelf had no ambitloii to SlI the pofib fur which 
they desired him. hut he was too much afraid of liia turbulent 
supporter* to venture to resist their intentions. Be wad 
harried along uncercmoniouaiy in the midst of the excited 
crowd, who nowiac tired with their long walk proceeded to Sb 
JohnLateran and demaGdcdan audience of the Bishop of Ostia. 

It ie not di^cult to dtviue the reception which Peter 
Damiaa aooorded the sacrile^ous rabble. His ftustera 
features were sterner than usual as he confrontt^d hts uu- 
e^remoiuooji visitora and taunted them with the ignorance of 
their self-elected PontifT. "I will," said he. "acknowledge 
hi^n an the truo aud v«ry l^ruo Pope if he can explain a simple 
verae of any Psalm or a line from any homily." ' 

' Lktt of i^ Ihraan I\r%tift. by tlie Clieralicr D'Arlacd. 
66 



I 





Coronation of Anti-Pope 

Soniewlmt ftliadL^Ti] by the Di^iliop'a scntlnng rebuke und 
by h'w dcUimiinfttion not fco place the tiAra upon tbe h^iod of 
their caudidate, they drugged the uafortunate CodIi, more 
dcdd than ftlin?, to the bonae of the Archdoacon, The timid 
cleric, trCTubliDt; at the sight of the fierce eoldiers who 
thfcat<:DQd bim with iastuit death it their demand Wfis 
nfosod, bdkd not the coonvgo to rosiat, and crownod the 
ftl&koet fxLiuticj^ aoli-pope uuder tbe name of Benedict X. 

The nows of the usurpntion of the throne was not Jong in 
rMohing the GermaD Court Vp-here the Cardinal -Legate was 
■tthat very tnctnent arrwiging for a suci?«BSor to Stephen, 
He advised the Empress to end the unweeudy statu of affairB, 
ao diBoatrous to ChristiivD iutere!?!^, by ccn^eikUng to the 
tlecljon oF hi» nominee. Tbia was Qerard, Bishop of 
Florence, a native of Savoy, a province vbich then formed 
pari of tho Duchy of Burgundy, 

Hctor Uamian deacrlles Gorard as being a man of deep 
pcnctratiou and '* of great virtue and learning." He testifies 
dso in MiLogistiG terms to tho merits of tho Pope-eleot. 
MpMUlly to hia liborolity in almagi^-iug. 

Tha BmproM* in tbe name of ber child for whom ab« acted 
%a Regent, readily agreed to th^ Legate'* auggestioa, and 
armed with this consent he repaired to borne, where he fonnd 
the anti-pope Id pua-tuKsioa of the throne. 

Botii nildebrnnd and tht? Onrdinals (rottsldered it un> 
deairaUe to prooued with the eUctiun in Homa, for Conti had 
noi yielded tbe tiara, in spite of all the persuasions and 
ttire«ta of tbe Bi«hopa and clerica. Uis followers, who com* 
priaod tbo rooAt anmty of the popoLoco, wtrc numerous, and 
enJy waab>i a pretj>st to involve tbe whole city io an 
nprcAT. 

Early lu the year (1059) following Stephen's death, a 
gcoetikl Cotmeil to com^tder tbe a|.>polntment of hia sacc««sor 
was convened at ijiena, which was included in the Marr|nisate 
of Beatrioo. 

tlio Countetis and her daiigbtrr wirrc present at tho 
deliberaUona, which vrvn uf a must haiujonious nataie, Tbe 

67 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

nominniioii of the Blfiliop of Florence prcppoaed hy 
Uildtibraud* ftiii which had received the approbation oE the 
Impcml GovorDmoBtr vroa h«.iUd with cDthunioAm* and be woa 
Accepted witiiont a vote o( diaaeot. 

It cost Uvrnrd na&ny a sigh to leave tho city wboro Oft its 
prelate he had epeiit so many happy ydars and wh^re lite 
nows of his doparture caitsed univensiil sorrow and reg-^^t. 
The Tuscaii princesses, who knew and loved hire well, i^yra* 
pathtaed with their countrymen in their grief at losing him, 
and were only consoled by the thought that he had ho&n 
selected ns their PonLifT- 

When the election w^w concluded, Gcnurd took hiri leave 
of Beatrice and MaLihla, with hi^ hand oubt^tretd^ed in 
blesBing ever them and ovct the beautiful city hr wad 
<)uitting. He then* in company with Hlldchrand and the 
CardiDAlfi. proc(NxIed on hia way to J^mc, cecortcd for milce 
hy hi* wooping fricndn. 

News cf his approach llow like hf^htninjr^ ^^^ o^ bis 
appoaranco within ni^ht of the city he waH met by fitmdrdda 
of the inhabitants, who came forth and conducted him ixk 
triumph to St John Laturan, which the aiitl-pope hai 
vacated. 

Conti, who does not appear to liave aaaerted his authoritjr 
hy any public act, welcom*:d tho chango of ftflfl.ir3 und readily 
yielded a thraaie lie had uu d^^lre to filL On h&axing of the 
electit^ of Gerard he quietly left the city and retired to a 
monastery in whose friendly shelter from political iutngucti 
be died in the following April. 

Tho oitieens who had regarded Couti's nsurpation with 
ilipreme indifltreuce were not sorry to be released from an 
anti-pope for whom they entertained no feeling* of r«spoot, 
and upon whoso iiicapadty for governing they looked with 
diHdain. 

The new PontifT, who took the name of Nicholas TL, wim 
distiiigujHhc-d fiM hiN hnETkility nuil tinbuuiided clmrity. Hia 
omrteoufi bearing aud kindiie^H of manner towaitln the 
humblest of hia children eoon won the hearts of a peujiirt 

W 




Cardinals to Elect 



who, Among thoir fftulu do not. ludntle ttiAt of itt^ 
gratitude. 

NicboloA waa oascntially Lhc father oF the poor. He 
sought tJxDtu cQt in their homes and mode their wclUbcing 
kit ipMBftl core. On hh elevation hd dt^vct^ hid attcnticn to 
ihelrsoeiB) grievances ant! J il^ ml iy fulfilled hig Lord's com- 
maod to food tb« ehcep and Iambs cutrueted to hie caro. Not 
only did he allow hiraaelf to be approAched at all ttmoa by his 
humble brethren without re«itr^mt, but lu3 ear waa evur open 
to the relation of their cumplaittts aod woes. Every day 
twelve old men preaeot«d tlmmeelveH befora the PouLiff. who 
dlTMting hinLSelf of bia roh^ knelt before them, and, in 
unHation of our I>iviue Lord who Vmi »ci this example 
of humility to His fcllcwera. washed their trav<:l-woi& 
foot. 

From tfao very oommeaoement of hie wigu tho Popo was 
Dnnch troubled by the schienis of those who defer:ded the 
mama^ of eccleaiaatice and aUo by th« eiuioiua^ who, 
•apeoially in Germany, bought beneficee and sold them again 
to lh» highcfat bjddvra. 

1*h9 titiB which Nicholaa TL had t^homn at his coronMion 
wan HinguWly njiprupnata, for it w»a the name bonie by 
" the founder of thu flnpn.ini»cy of the Papal See." Following 
in the footat«pn cf bis illuHtrtoutt aanieaake, he endeavoured 
lo CAiry out to the beat of his ability hia idea of tbe " oxact 
obaerrancj of cccleniaatical di^h^lpliua" 

For this purpose be sammonod a Uoncral Council, which 
■wtfttRocQfi (lCo0|, and at which olo hundred and thirteen 
BiflbopflfrocR all parta ai Europe wc^re present, uud |^ve tlu:ir 
oooMDt to the decreea which were then pasaed. At the same 
CdddoU wma confirraed to the six Cardinals — or, a« tho namt 
inaplle0«*'hiQgeeof theChvtrch '* — the exclueidve right of elect- 
ing the PontiA, thv clergy and people giving a tacit eouncnt. 
*Tbia law,'* aayn Dean Mifman, *' wrested Lhe power of 
namioaiing the Pope froui the lower cEirrgy. the turbulent 
bttroKi^ aod tranaferTcd it to the College of CardinaU," The 
decree wad paattcd by the unanimous vctea of the aa6eaibly> 

69 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

acdiht the head of the stgaatures occorBth&t of '* HUd^trarndf 
ntcmJc tLTid Curdiiiat-dKiicon.'* 

Thus divideil lietween the duties of bia pontificate and bts 
care of the poor pA^ni^i] awny Eh« Wt two yuara of Nichoios' 
life* Liko bis preieceesors, his atreagtb beg&n tc yiM ymd^r 
bbc cocBiojib deuanda made upon it. E£ie boqI became tilled 
with a dcairo tbat amoiiDted to longing to revisit bis beloved 
Florenod, tbo Utslioprio of whicb Uc still r(3t&iDQd. 

EciktncCi on be&nng of this wisb, at onco made prepara- 
Ciooa respectlD^ the joumQy of the alck Pontiff, Matilda* it ia 
needless to ^yjooked forward with ea^ernudis to meeting the 
Holy Father to whose religious inBtructiotiH she had often 
listened with reverential interest, 

Alas ! it seemed oja if the oarea of the pontificate were to 
deprive her of the two beet-know a friends of ber childhood. 
It waa but two and a half years si uce ]xar ancle, the geciUe 
Pojja Stephen, ha(l coine to Tuscany to die, nud now it 
appeared at if Nichulofi wotild aoou fuUow Ma frieud tuid 
£oHow-Poe>tiff- The priiicesQes escorted the invalid, and by 
their help and porsoual direction did much to alloviate the 
AuDerin^ caused by thu long an;l fatiguing journey of nearly 
two hundred milea. 

The delight of Nicholas at revisiting his See seemed to 
renew bis failing strength, and filled himself and his frienila 
with hopes of hia recovery. These expectations provw! tobd 
dcUn^ivei, for no Hooner bad the emitemeTit of bis arrival 
MPinewhat le,>4t^ened than the relu^ae came. Among his 
former di>ck, ainrounded by his friends, his soul soared from 
the frail teuemeut frnm nhich it longed to be free. He dind 
on July 27. 1061/'faU of moriM, virtuoQ. wi«dom, candour 
and pontificjil vigour" 

His reraaina were convoyed to the Vaiicftn, followed by 
crowds of persons of liU ranks, testifying by thia touchiog 
attention thoir fervent afloction for their Biehop and Pontiff, 
for he was both. 

Tba loug procMsion, h<taded by Beatrice and Matilda, 
ioduded many of the poor to whom hid sanctity oi 

70 



Crisis in Church History 

Uberelity h&d endeared him. Tho tcare itttd regMto of iht^ 
hiunble children of the Church were a Htting tribute to tho 
m^tnory of their generotia bi>ncEftctor> 

On the death of Nicholas the Cardinals held % eolemn 
eonncil for the election of his siicc^aMor. In nccordAi^ct* with 
ikm dncr«ie to which he h&d givdn his aaaeut, the late PontifT 
bad m&da no choice, but left the eelectioD to bo mode 
ftnd confirmed by the votes of the " MngBs of the 
Church." 

The conclave therefore made their decision, and ottce 
AgeJB the MarquJMkbe of Tttecany was to yield a Pope who 
ahouJd liU the throuc of ^i Peter. 

PoUomng the example of Hildcbrjuid, the electors un- 
AJiitnotigly f*avc their votoe to Anseim Badagiiis, Blfihop of 
Lucca, a man of high tolont and bolonging to an illUBtrioug 
MiUD«4^ family. He had been a student under tho fatncuA 
Lanfrane^ and wax one of the cancnu of St John Laleran, 
At th^ cim« of his caII to fill the papa) throne he waa 
engaged In the erection in Lueea of a Cathedral which Beatrice 
d™irp:d fthonld be dedicated to St Martin. To thi* ImilJing 
vaa afterwards confided for tmts k^^ping a priceless treasure, 
ft sad souvooir of our Lord's safTeringH, which was wrought 8ooa 
after H\a death by one of Hia discipIeK ThU wan a crucifix, 
Cftrvod in ccdoLt accordint^ to tradition by the hands of Nico- 
domna and tranfifcrted from the Holy Land to Luecft in the 
ea^lfa century. 

For yeara Anselm had been the pergonal friend and 
fpiritoal director of B^^atnc^^ who waa much attached to tho 
learndd pr+.^lAte, She bad frequently availed herself of his 
ftdvico in the training of her daughter, whose theological 
Atndiea he had superintended. It wa» no Hmall grief to the 
young princww thus to lose the third of her chtldbood's 
frivndc^ and to be deprived of their teachings and sweet 
counsels^ 

Little did she dream that this election vai to bo a crisis 
ill her life, ftnd that ita reaulta wore to be the turniu^point 
ID her hiatory and in the history of tbc Church. 

71 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

It w^ in Ootcbor C^l^CO. throe months &ft^ the doftth of 
Nicholna, that tlic Cnr<HniilH gave tbeir ddGiKion in fiiTOQt of 
Auj^elm as his enoceasor. The d&td is one to be remember^i, 
einoett wa^^t LliUuWtion thjib the new Iaw of piijial frecilom 
was first brought into operation. Without any Application 
to Qennuny, and withouL eitlii^r the knowledge or sanction 
of thti imperiTiil court, An Balni waa crowned as Pontic under 
the tiUc of Alexander IL 

Hie Church bad indeed ofiserted her righto. No longer 
waa she to choose her Head at tlxe hiUdiug of tlie Emperors, 
Jlorcover, as haa boca truly rcmarkcdj there wae no Emporof 
at the time. Henry IV,, who h&d succeeded his father, was 
ftt this timo btJt n lad of cloven yoare o! age and too young 
to wear the imperial crown. 

News of the innovaUon quickly spread and reached 
Agnes ere die accredited Legate arrived in Germany, The 
Btnpreas was no longer Regent, the young ^in^ 
having been tiiken from her charge mora than a year 
8go by Archbishop Ilanno, in whose CAirc ho wua al this 
Lime. 

Although Agnea' authority was considerably ditniniBbed 
by the removat of b*raon, ehe waA very indignant at what 
ehe deemed nn infringement of the imperial prerogative. 
When, therefore, the envoy arrived from Ktjme, she refused 
to admit him to audienoc, and after waiting for Bomo daya in 
expectation of fulfilling hie cmhaBsy, he returned with the 
BoaU of hia despixtohes nnbrokon. 

Determined, with all the arrognnce of her rank, not to 
ackoovledgv the PontifT thne freely chosen by the Cnrdinalfi, 
the Empre^a prepared at all coHts to enbHtiluie one of her own 
nomination. She had heiird that tlie ATcIibiEdiop of Colore, 
whom she couftiderud to be her enemy, was in favour of 
AnJ^elm, and that aflorded an additional reason for oppo^ug 
his election. ^^t 

A meeting woe held at BqaIc and C&doloua, Bishop of^ 
Parm&, *'n man of notorioufi roptitation," wfke chosen n^ anti^ 
p<^pe, jofit twenty-eight dayu after the olovatioai of Ansel 




Alexander II 

The choice was confirmed hy Agnea id the tkame of the 
youthful King, and both men and money were freely placed 
at the diBpoBal of C&daloae, who eet ont at the head of the 
German forces, mtending to croBs Ttucany on hie way to 
Borne. 



?3 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



CHAPTER rV 

"A nctcDr «crt tbou in t. dAt-kaomo nigbt 
Yk shuM thy nume f^onsplpucmi anil suliUme 
tftuAiJ in the tp&oioiu Gruiarj^^nt of time 
Tu'd OB > 9Ur ; aucb gbr; » tb^ rJ^ht."'Wom|i»WOknL 

Beatr[c:c, though nAturftlly of Asweet and yielfling disposition, 
was uot loclined to aubmit Lamely to the dariDg inroad of the 
p&pal UflurpQr into her dotoiDions* She remembered with a 
sigh of regret that the death of Boniface her lord had de* 
prived her of hia powerful support, and that there wim but 
the feeble arm of a woman to defend her rights. Godfrey, 
altbough griovod to wouod the feelinf^s of bis wife, would 
^'ivc hor no afisuraace of aafljetanoo. Fi*om etroog motives c* 
Belf'intereat he proforrcd Co remaia neutral in the matter. 
Be waa uawUling to off^od figainst the imperial court by 
taking ap arms in favonr of Aleiarider^ since just at that 
time he deaired espeeiaHy to iugratjate bimaelf with the 
Empress. She had but recently restored the disputed t«rri- 
tcrios of Latharingia to Gudfray the Younger, and ha feartd 
lost by any precipitate act he might hinder his eon's adv&nc 
meat. 

Th&re was no euch dimdonce on the port of Matildai- 
Uer youthful aool vraa atlamc with patriotism and unswerving 
loyalty to the Holy See, She hoard her atop-fathor'B decudoD 
with feelings of aurpnae and indiguation, acd beoamt filled 
with a lioging to take the r«ius of eommaud into her owu 
handfi, M 

Tutting aside the maniiBcnpti to which in the tumultuous' 
state of her taind she could uo lon^r give her uudividod 
attentiuu. she proceeded with light but firm vLep to 

74 



J 




Patriotism of Matilda 

moUier'a apiu-Uneitt Eiiibnicm)^ her with all tho demon- 
Hr&liv^ tifToction of girlliccxJ. nhr bi^oiought licr nofc to suffer 
meh && outrage Lt> iUe [Kxpul throne nor to permit tfic 
indignity of oo unopposed iiiviwion, With a lip trtmbUnj; 
with tho force oE her emotioD. &nd with tiaahing eye through 
which tthcn<t fortb the spirit ^i her forcjfftthoT^, eih*i tiuplored 
B^fttrice to aummon ht-r v^ssaLb. Hor niothor romindinf^ her 
tluit there WLUi no one to whose comm&nd she oould commit 
her people, th^ bert-ic girl begged that she herself mi^ht hnvo 
the glory of It^inling hor countrymen, BeBtricy Jot^ked dowo 
with pride upon the animate features of her datightnr, and 
rwiii Uiurum BHch rwiwjlve and power of will, thttt slie cuuTd 
not find it in her heart to check her gcDeroun glow of 
pfttnotidm, oiid yielded to her requosb. 

The leepou^e to Beatrice'R call to arma was instant and 
onaoimous. From cities, towna, villages, from plains and 
mountain paaaea, the loyal Tuocanii haflttmod at Iho bidding of 
their licgc lady. 

The mmibera of thdeio willing but vmtruned rccmita wero 
augmentod by tho knighto who froqncntod her court, and to 
wboae eha^e abe cominitt4Mi the tare of her youthful and 
Intrepid danghtar, 

£V«paratLOQ8 for war in those days were very simple and 
qnickly mada. No chanf^ of accoutranivntM wMru required, 
except tlioae of the knightly warricirn and thoao of thdr 
perpoiial att^ndunu who wprr bning tHrnint^il for tlib lullitary 
profeaeioD. Tlie tiword, tliw jujuduruna bmtle-axe, tho mighty 
dab and ^a croM-bar ol tJie NormAnii were the pnndpal 
arms aaad in the field. The town of riaioja had Qot yet 
lonualied the murderous weapons which were afterwards 
fnasnfaotnrod here. There wae nono of the artillery or 
noaon of the pn»cnt time to hmder ti^e qniek pae^ga of 
the mm, and gunpowder was not introduced until nearly two 
eeAittiiea after Matilda had paired away. Exeept among the 
Nonnans or in the itanding armies eupportt^ by and coiik- 
nianded by noble* who wero attached to the European couria, 
there waa DO regular training for the ileld. Military 



Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 

diMciplini; did Qob even in ihese instaaces ext«ud to the ' 
aoldiera who followed the campa and Iiclped to awvll th« 
narooricat Force of tbe troops, whoBo movotnenta they oft^n 
impeded rather than aasiated 

In Tuscany Beatrice bad hdr own company of knight* 
and men-At-arias on whose fidelity ehe could rely, aud who 
hod served iind^^p Boniface her late husband. She Bappld- 
mented these as we have seen by her subjects in the villagea 
^od towns, and by peasants from the moimtaiDona districts. 
Th«w man, untrammelled by umforms ta which they wcn» 
unaccuatoiaed aud which would have but inipedej their 
freedom o£ itction, were soon equipped. Seizing upon their 
bows, to the UAe of which they hod been trained from cliild- 
hoot), and filling tUt>ir pockets with pcbbloa in thfl alinging of 
which they were adepUi thoy humcd to join their comrades 
in tho vaUeyen The lowland peasanta wore no less quickly 
ready. They armed themselvoa with varioua agrionlturat 
implements, which thou^^K irmoccnt in times of poJico, in^ 
dieted deadly and often mortal wonnda when delivered with 
Diuecnlar energy against thutr foon, Th«y provided theoi- 
e<»l7es with hiige portions of black bread and some fruit, and 
taking A tender farewell of their famtlics were able without 
further preface or prepnration to march to the field. 

Among her Accomplish men t& MatiLdn had from childhood 
prnetlsed the art of horfioeTianahip. In thia exerciae her feaiM 
iessnefis, h«r powera of endnranoe and her vigorous constitn- 
tion rendered her an export. So remarkable VM her iii- 
iiui?nco upon the animaU she rode, that by her lirm kind&css 
ahc eoQtrollod tho temper o£ the moat rostloaa steoda and 
rondorod them obediunt and dooiltx^ 

Feara for her child's safety began to ^ the mind of 
Boatric^ with gloomy forebodings, ami gladly, if it wor» 
possible, would she have recalled her crmaent to her departnro 
on 80 periloniB wi undertaking. With many entreaties to the 



' Thii duiraoterutie of M&iild» luu bcea rcmiLrk^ hs modiievql 
repnut 
lorK, whov fthe U holdinj; in check." 



a bT mod 
kbtcii, who hare repnu«Dt«d her u *' Abated on the hAct of & Q 

76 




First Battle 



koighU to oar^fnlly gn^rd the prinoeas. she usured ttein of 
her prayers during the tTyinji orilcial through which thoy 
were abcmt Co pasn, and with ni&ny t<^Ara took, as slie helieved, 
A laet fftr^well of hor bA-fovrxl ilmi^htiT 

MitUldji, wiUi the huu/rtiitdutnilc'icf-of youLh, enter Uiitsd 
DO feftra ^a to the iBsue <'f tho conflict which sho luiticipatcd 
wcmlit eiKl the tyranny uiidrr which the Church &uU Italy 
luuJ ^ JoQjc groQced. Embracing her tncthcr, eho sprang 
tightly upon her hoTM, whidi she rode with aa easy &nd 
frteeful scot, uid placed hcn^i^lf At tho honri of her troope. 

In thia miuuior did a tcirl of fifteen, of high culture, Aud 
d«licat«lj brought np far from iteon(f« of strife nni] btoodthod, 
OVttROaM tlie nataral tintldit^* and reserve of her Mfx, and 
"OTpoM hfrnwlf to idl the horr<»nt of actual war." Thus, 
without any apprehension of personal danger, did she jAtyot 
haraelfas a hdlwnrl: in drimioii nf h«r Church at\t\ nonniry. 
ThiJB nbc t.-u(j*rud upou Ik btruggle fi^r their Jiitorufllii, which 
luted until her d««th, and in M?hich though unaided by any of 
tho j>otriiUit«9 of Eun>{je, she waa uUiinately the vicUir 

So little time had the preparations occupied, that ccarcely 
had Cadaloua crcaaed tho north-wast frontier of Tuacaoy Uion 
be waa confronted with Matilda n ruihW bat determined band 
Hia tft>op6 far outnumbered tho 'lufcana, but ihe proniptneas 
and frosh&oaa with which the latter advanced gave them the 
•drantAge over hU m^n, who were fatigued from their 
toilaome jonmoy over the mountain pa«ftv«. 

With shouU of " St Peler and Untiida ! " " St Peter and 
yoUldaf'the toyal mountnintren bruke frnm all restraint, 
and THahing forward threw themselveu upnn the straggling 
ranka of tlw Oermann with that daring and fvarlcBnness of 
daogar to which a life of peril hod inured them. A fearful 
band-to-hand struggle ensued, and for a time nothing woa 
heard but aoonfuscd mingling of the hoarse ehoute and curae^ 
with whiob tht imperial o^eere urged forwar*! their men, 
with tha i&iptriting watchwords of tho combatenta and 
tbo icrouw of tli« wouiidud. Eei^ardleee of tbuir expoacd 
pvrBODS and Um variety of thoir inGlnunenta of war, 

77 




^haJ^ 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



the Tnscnns fought fiercely, mid with all the force ot th^Jr 
muuwy arma loiltcted ghastly and deadly injuria^ qpou tl 
aQtogooiatfl. 

What were Matilda's feelings during the affray, it U 
difficult to dttWQven During^ the pftuaea of the ccnilict, when 
the Tnscans wore ready to drop IVom very woarint^fis. the 
clear tonca oF tho young princoss atimulatod them to frc«h 
oxtMiiona and fresh acts of heroism. The tnx upon her 
ooura^ waa not of long duration, and to her iutcnfie relief 
sho d«teclod nneertabity in the movements of the enemy. 
Her heart beat almost to stiHbcation and her breath caine 
f|uiclcly as with dilating eye she saw her hrave men rapidly 
gaining ground. 

The imperitil troops, dieorgAnised by the unexpected 
iLud savage uature of the onrush, wavered in Uieir advanen, 
and after a short eDgagem«Dt were hopelesftly repulsed and 
fled in wild dtfior^ter. 

Matilda wj>a loft master of the field, and ao aoon as ahc 
pon;eivod that the enemy was in full retreat ahe gave orders 
for the return of hor men from tho pursuit of the stragglers 
to preveat unnoceesary bloodshed. Sordid ahe quit the scone 
of her victory until ehe was ii^nred that the wounded of both 
a!de« were well tended and the helpless conveyed to tho 
village which nestled nnder the shadow of C&no«9a. This 
humane duty perfortneH the princess, who had sent m&a&engen 
to allay the fears of her mother, rode with ertge.r h?4^«t.P tcwnrda 
ihe Cnfttltf, from the battlements uf whicli Boatrice liftd 
watched the progress of the confl.ict. ^M 

Springing with agility from bet horse the wiwihy de» 
eccndant of a line of wurriora niabed with the impctuoaity 
of girlhood into the enfolding artaa which were ext«:Dded to 
rmbroce her. Beatrice, tremUiag with joy and pride, pcoefiod 
tho valiant maiden eoDVulaively to her heart, while in filter- 
ing accents she thanked her people for the Joyalty and 
bravery they had displayed, and congratulated them on the 
victorious iasue. 

Tho ftoti-popftj fmatrated in his design of proceeding 



^ 



Defeat of Cadalous 



ihrongh Tuficany. hurried from the field almost at Iho begin- 
uins ol the engagement Foufol of bcin^ ptirnrcd by the id- 
toriatod Italians, but still dotorminod to pro»a on to Rome, he 
Eaade & detour by vaj of the Mnrcbcti- 

Tho Arohbishopa however, was disappointed of the 
trinrnphant entry which he believed would have crowned Lifi 
expL-ditioQ, News of hie repulse by Matilda had, however, 
reached the city before him, and the iuhabitants hastily dosed 
blifdr gntee at his appronch. In do enviable frame of mind 
he fixed his encaiupmeat without the walle of ihe Dufriendly 
capital, and there await^'d with ill-ccncealed impatience the 
ItfTival of Ilia straggling aimy. From their post of vantage 
Uw cili^ena were able to amuse themselves by annoying and 
defying the foe, who were too disorgameed by their hurried 
retreat from Toecany tc effect an entrance by force. Unabb 
to reUlJAte, the Germans contented themselvt^s ^-ith vovring 
to take a full revenge apon their mereiless tormentors when 
onee they becnmo maEters of the situation. 

Military eommandera io those days had no charts or mi^ 
to give them topographical infonnation of the eountriea 
through which they marched, and unexpected diB^cnltiea 
mroeie at almoat wory step. The German soldiers, who had 
beeai bopelaaaly disperaed by the sudden attack of Matilda, 
were therefore cor^idernbly at & Ioji« Ui know which direction 
the fogitiye aDtt-popc K&d takeii. "Mountain pa&ses, deep 
raviocfl and torrtDta, K^mctiniGs foniablc. at others impassable 
foreran thoee born on tbeirfitcny banks, prceonted thomaolvea 
atAlmoatevtoy tuTD." Itwcuin vain," continued the historian, 
*'lbaitbey endeavoured, even at the eword'e point, to gain the 
•ervicea of the TutfcaDs aa gnidoi ; thoy were too devoud to 
Matilda to be tempted to bar betrayal." That*' all rondslead 
to Rome/ wa« not then a reDogniaed proverb, although in ihiA 
caae the axioro held good. The imperial forc^«, tmvelling by 
roQtes mora or )e«s direct, arrived in st^painte detachioenta 
before the walls of tit*; capital even while Matilda in her 
anxasty for the PontifTa nafety was pressing cloae npon 
tbeu.'- 

79 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



M*tildft'« tcmperaraoal was so equable that not evun tfio 
excitumont of tictual war bad powror to overthrow 
tho evdii b&lflrQCO of hor woll-regulated mind. Awar« thit 
Cft^'Lloua had early quUtodthe field, she fe^trod, leet by taking 
tho Komiine tuiAwnnrs, be should have succeeded in gmining 
entrftocd to the city, 

Tbere was no time to be lost, and finding Ibat bar 8t«p* 
fatli<ir Atill refused to take comnmud, the courageous girl 
pTfipH-rod &i a.]] hazards to go to the reocue of ths Pontile 
whose life mi^ht even tliau be io danger. 

Dcfttrico, in on agony o£ m&tomal fiolicitude* reCoBftd to 
remain behiad, and th» princeasoa immediately aet out. 
Accoropnnicd by n body of picked mcn-ftt-artns to form en 
eecort for Alexander's retreat to Canosea. 

When tho cavalcado neari3d Rome, a sight met the cyea of 
Beatrice and Matilda wUioh c'tused them to forg^et th^Jr 
weariaoas aud removed from their minds all appr-ehonAiona 
for the Pontiff's aafety. Before them lay tlie pitched t«nt3 of 
thd Germans, and the fact of tht* troops not bavin);; ent^i^ 
th@ oity. was sufficient evidence that the Romans had been 
warned of their approEicb in Lime to he on their guard. 

FiadJog tliore was no need for the continuation of a 
journey which would poKKihly expose tbc;m to another on* 
counter* the princtfAsea retraeed their way to C&nceiHa ere the 
Oernian outpoat^f hod warning of their presence M 

Althoujgb in those days nows traTcllcd with tordy teP 
the fmne of Matilda's exploit bad eprood with ii^crodibU 
rapidity, and her return waa horaldod with ezuberAAt 
demonstrationii of joy. Her people greeted her with 
deafeniug nhouts, and her name was hailed with aodamaticn 
OA the watchword of liberty. She became the centre ronnd 
which rallied all who were prepare to defend their religion 
and country. 

It ia difficult to realise that the heroine of this universal 
ovriUmi wa.H hut young, and that at an agi; w]u?n tnne^i y;ir1« 
of modern timea have ecarcely i^uitted the achool-iiom, ahe 
had oommandedau army in the field. "Nothing was now 




Countess of Tuscany 

wanting to tluA dau^lilor uf blie ?hfar^rav«8," vxcIiuuih the 
poftt ID an oatburat of cutUiiBiaam, '^ high birth, youth, virtne, 
beftuty, and victorious troops." 

The folJomng description of Matilda aji she appeared at 
the timo vrilL give an idea, however faint, of tho form and 
feature® which appoalod to the cbivalroud inatiacta of tDcn of 
ail gradcfl. Ubarcncd with her ojoco and regal carria^, 
doxdod by hor beauty^ oatoniEJicd at the variety of her 
att^smenta, amazed at the rcBnoiaent of her home and the 
rich astates to whieb eh« was heir, no wonder that poets and 
paifitan havo laudud tn v^nG and picture the amiabie, piooa 
and gdcerons Matilda, Count^a of Tuacany,^ 

She poesedsed, we arc toM, a great profusion of dark hair, 
which waa prevented froui enoruiK^lMiig upun lier intelldt^tual 
furvhcad by a kind of tiara, or high comb, which conRutfd ii 
ID missive coIIh on ber shapely head, iler upper tip was 
full and bbort, and b«r eye^ larg«, of a bpttrkltng black, aud 
W04id«rfully Dxprcosive. She woe tall and well aud ntrongly 
boih. carrying herselE with gra€e aud dignity < which* 
together with her Gwcet-toned, sympathetic voiee, won for 
bor Ihe respect and admiration of alU 

laheritin^ the pride and courage of her moe, and f-ifted 
with a rich inu^finatioo. her very uHture. &ctivo and po«tic as 
it waa, randered her a trnc and earnest patriot. She loved 
her eoontry with a lively and constant affvction, whieb 
neither micfortnne nor age diminished nor dimmed. '*ldy 
heart/" exclaimed ahe in a auddeii tranaport of feeling, 
" barot wtUi an ardent love for my Church and my 
Italy-" 

Already the fame of tl^e beauty and wealth of Matilda 
liad rcacbint the forrign court?, and specuUliona were rife 
00 to which fortunate prince should be confided the control 
of ber cxtcn»vc property. Her step^father was deAiroua of 
her onion with bifl aOD, Lo fioaau, to whom the Emprcsa had 
recently rcntorci tbc Duchy of Lotl^arinpa to which be waa 
heir, Anxiood to make hia po&ition more secure, ore aba 

r 81 




Matilda, Counters of Tuscany 



aliOHid have m&rlf^ a choice of Llie litrtny offera for ber band. 
the Duke ptx)pase(] her marriage with Lc Boaeu 06 a 
QoaditJOQ of his belp in defending the papal throne. | 

Godfrey w*wa not wrong in auppoaing that ihc motive 
he brought forward wjis the one mo^ eaJculatod to have 
weight both with Matilda and hor mother* and one thi 
would aileneo tho cbjoctionfl wbioh might bo raised by tli 
oiorical ndvisers. 

In the meriDtime, the sitnation in Borne wu reachinrr 
crisis. Cad&loua, whose pride hud bven "kucnly roortitied, 
and his dreams of future power dispelled by the uneipecl 
oheck to his advance, was becoming tired of waiting bcforaj 
the closed gutea. Tlie discipline of the camp waa reh 
and the soMiern haviu|r no other metliod of diBpoaiog 
their time and energies, lietame LQrbnIent and bejond tl 
Dontrol of their officers. Spreading themselves over tl 
eurrounrling distncie they beoame uttorly r^kJew and 
disgraced tUetn&elvea by acta of ^-iolence which would b&v« 
shamed the most lawtcRS freebooters of the period. WtthH 
nnreatrained licenac they waylaid and robbed pilgrims to 
the city, who had come from afar, through many perils and 
privations, to obtain the Sovorci^ PontiCTs blc«ning and tofl 
Jay tboir olforms;^ nt hio feet. The unfortunate travellers 
no Bocner coui^ratuliitvd thcmadvos on the caccowfal 
terminatioa of their toilfiome journey, than they were set 
upon by blie rongh soldiery. Not only wcn^ they deiipoQted 
of their property, but in spite of their prayera, lamcntatlona 
and protests, they were driven back with every species 
insult that (cruelty could devise. 

Tbif ATiti-poj>e wi»s most unhappy in the midst of hi 
unruly partizaus. and began Lo ihtspair of evrr Mtciiring Ui 
papal chair upon wliicJi bia rival seemed firmly fixed. 
was clear that to prolonjc the aiege was a mert} vrante of timtt 
undi^ the prcaent conditions. Ho be^an to meditate upon 
measures by which to ofleet an entrance, but none wci 
praoticuble- Hta army was too dieorganised to troul 
about the matter, and not even thi^ t^mptiag bait of 

Si 




Tiara in Danger 

Hmtteil spoil to be gtiinef)* wouM mdace them to tnnka nn 
ftttuck up'ra (Jar t'ity. Godaloiu thoreForJ? ivithdrew his 
foroes Off (at north ok he durret) to venture, aod there waited 
uolil hifl &nu> aLoulJ be atreugtheoud by proiuised rcinforcc- 
Qkento f rom Lgmbardy, a province which rAVOored German 
policy. 

The enthusiastic TMoption accorded to Mntilda, which was 
aufficiect to h^ivu lurncd the beiid of maay a more luatorod 
warrior, had no cfioct upon the simplo-hcnrtcd princcdr^f in 
v1u>in motived of nclf-aggrunduomeut found no place Nor 
did Bhe allow hem^lf to beootne exalted on account of her 
victory, the resDlt of which hibd been merely a delay io the 
pf^in*^itated attack of the Gerniwi f^^rces tipon Rrime. She 
wiiH fully awArtj that a. ^rl, ineipcrit*nced in mihtai'y tfifrtics 
ttod ignorant cf the Boience of war, coiiM not hope for 
a rcntiouanco of suec^isa again^^t a well-ieaaoned and 
dtwipliued Uas. 

The only means hy which the indoptmdcnce of the tiara 
could bt preaerved was by calling in the aid uf an ally, Th& 
NormaDS, who were alrtiady firmly Aettled iti Italy, would 
only have bceu too gUd to avail tbematlvein of & pretext For 
eotenn^ Home, hub the unlicenaod freedom of their mannora 
and thetr utter disregard of the rightn of preporty would 
have made their preacnce a doubtful btoaain;;. Tho citJzond 
voold rather have a PoutlfT thruet upon them hy Oiprmany 
thu place their natioinal and pnci^lo»t treaiurea of ardiitecluro 
at ihe nieroy of sueh wild spirits. Nor would Matilda's 
patriotisni bavo suffered her to repel the arlvancp« of tho 
iuvnder by invitiDj^ jl foreign power to enter either Tuacany 
or Rome. 

Hulp biy hut in i>iie directlou. Her titep- father, who bad 
been uaed from childhood to accoos of blood and strife, had 
pronnaod to lca<l her army on the fullilment of one condition, 
aod oQ no other tenus would he aAsumo tho command, 

Kcffarding the PentilT with rovcr<!nce aa the Viear of 
Chrut^ the prinocea had considered it a duty to risk her life 
for hie aakc and for the Church he roprcaout^d. Der 



^^ 




I 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

rasning^ ihcroforo with Lc bossv, which would he a solely 
political undertaking, wod in ber opinion not too groat a 
fiocrifioo to mako for the furthonixice of tho somo onds. Sb« ■ 
vu cnhappily co^iuuit from hordaily couloct with Godfrey 
thftt from tbd uitor iucompatibiiity o£ tbcir oatnml ch&r- 
BCleristics thero oever could exiat that aymptLthy wbiob 
forms the true bond of union, M 

The knowledge thftt she would be bound Co » hiuband ^ 
whose tfifltefl wore so diaatmilar, and who had never Bought 
L her love, mu^t have inflicted many n wotind upon th« 

AfTect-icjQitte h«art of a inaldeu Hu proudly flensitive ug wui 
this daughter of the Mnr^aveij. 

Not without long aud aerious deliberation did MatiJds 
enter upon the coarse which was to change the wUoIq tenor 
of her lifo. M^ny an hour, when the Inmatoa of the Cattle 
were sunk in aluinber, did abe apend id earnest thought, 
viewLQ]; the eitnation nob merely in rcgU'd to herself, but as 
ooncjoming the wolfare of the Church. Many an hour ehe 
knelt lu the Chapel and there, in the preaeuee of her Lord, 
|>raydd to bd f^uided aright tn tM» momeritoas criaia of her 
life. Many consultation:^, too, abe beld wiUi bor mother, 
wiitin thmr ti'jkm mingled togi^thvr, and BFAtnc^ pressed hetr 
child to hi:r heart with words of comfort which grid 
rendered almoat inaudible. 
■ The innate delicocy of tho Tuscau princoasoi prevested 

' thom from applying to the Fontitl' and abid]D|T bj hia 

dociaiou. Alexander, m hia tender ra^rd for his young 
pupil would, aa thoy kiKivr, have found it difficult to 
advise her to a union which would make her auMrable, asd 
which WB4 to b^ entered upon For hia sake. 

Thoy thert^fore sought the opinion of their spiritual 
adviaers, who, whilo tally acknowledj^'ng tho «iicn5ce ol 
ber Hfoa ^Lftppiiiuaa which Matilda would bo called upon td 
raako, did not attempt to dissuade her from tlin marriage, 
Fort^ific^d hy ths blesaiag of Iter mnthrr itnd the approbation 
of Uic Uhnrch, she at length consented to give her hand as 
the price of tho iodopcudcnoe of the pouUGcal tUrc^e, 

^4 



I 




Sacrifice for the Church 

flodfroy the Tonngar rocei^ed the new* with t\w infllflftr* 
QDce fvliid) wmt babttual to him, aJtbougb he vdA not in- 
•ensible to the advaDts);«s which would accrue bo himnlF 
by hU murriagt with Uuf wruilthiitAb lieirees in Europe. 

tlii) fattier at onee pr^paictl to fuliU hia part of the 
eUpnlAtioD, aud in ac i&crodibly short ispocc of Umo th« 
Tuscan army was collected and ready to alart. 

The two princcasce, with a famail retinue of a AcUct corpa 
of mcu-at-arms, logctticr wiUi Godfrey* wlio directed th4> 
cooTemcfits of the troops, thereupon proceeded with all 
doBpatd) to Rome. 

To the Eurprteo of aJl, thoro vroro no eij^na of the enemy, 
wbo had remoTcd th«iir camp from hoforo the gataa of the 
city, Mivtilda. overjoyed at the comparative safely cf tha 
Pontiff", forgot alike hor foarv and tho dark elcnd which 
hung like a pall botw«en ber tnd the freedom and bli» 
uf hvT Quiideahrjod. Hers was not a nature to brood orer 
misfortunafl, and an slje sprang from her horse to kneel at 
tho foot of the Holy Father, she wan, what she appeared 
bo be, one of Lh« hfippicnt ertatur^a whoin Ga] hiui made. 

Alexander fimilUigly raisml the princess from her lowly 
pottt40D»»nd with precious words of eucouragcmcnt praiacd 
tbe heroic girl for her ccal and patriotism. 

The R^^man nohloa who crowdud round were struck witb 
admiration at the ^raco and beauty of the young warrior, 
aa with burning: ohocks and downcast «ycB ehe Habenod 
to thoir txtrava^antly turned phrafies of congrattilation. 

Doni20, thi^ chaplain, who was proaent at thiA touohinif 
iic«o«,da«cnboain flowing t«rms the enthusiastic reception 
aooord«*d to hi* Unloved pupil. " At the arriviU of Godfrey/ 
tOLid h^, ''the tcvWD began to breathe, but at the night of 
Matilda* armed for the cautM> of St Fttur, thny deteiniined 
nob to await the airiTal of the enemy bub to march forward 
bo D>e«t them." 

In the meautiBQe Cad&lous, who had conridcrably 
augmented hid ftirccc* from Lombardy, waa on hia way to 
lay aiego to Borne, when, to bia chafriu, news readied bim 

■5 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

thftt he hud hnen Forostaltei]. Godfrey and MiiiilfiA, ao 
tidings FftD. h&d gong to tlie relief of Alexander, a.nd tlieir 
ftrmy woH nljvsdy wibhio the city wsIIh. 

The GertiKLu «oiiim;iniler wmi utit iltterreJ Croiu hija 
purpoDo by this oulooked-for rcbufT — oa the contrary, th« 
proapect of securing such valuable prtfionen woh a Ereah 
incoDtivc to action. Con^denl of an easy victory, imd 
dolighted at the proapect of the reward in t*tort, tb* 
imperial troopa pressed ou in eager aDticlpation to ficiz^ 
their prey, 

Whi^n they arrived vitMn a ehort diatanw from the 
Capitcl before which they were al>oiit to encamp, tboy b«hcld, 
to tU&lr great astonishment, a regularly -orgaiuaed army 
advftnein£» to intercept their further progreeen 

Matilda'a forces joined to thost furaiahed by the it^mana 
were numericafly superior to those of the enemy On tho 
other hand thy latter were better armed and more experi* 
eDoed> TlioHe men, ueasoued by year^ of severe training, were 
mastern of military tactics and fully able to lake odvantago 
oC the niiMkilled iDOvemenls of Lliuir antagonihts, 

FortiSed by the justness of their cause, both political Aud 
religious, the Tuecans went boldly forward in the name of 
the Chnrcb. whose rights they defended. Hcnlieiiig what 
serious results hung upon tie isauc of the battle, U:vy roain- 
tainod a stubborn and protracted reaistaDCo to the advauceof 
Uio foe. 

In vain the imperial veterans, who had ti-ealed the peaaant 
army with diadalii, attempted to brealc tlirouj^b the irregular 
masses before them. Like a huge wave which recedes only 
to j^ather fresh power did the Italians throw tbcmseWeif with 
irretiiatible energy upon their ranks. It was impoBsible to 
proceed in the face of such overwhelming niunbem, and they 
snfFfjrod suvttrety from the wounds inflicted upon them by the 
murderous weapons of ttie ^unly mountaini^tTrs. 

Dour afi«r hour thu battle waged with uncertain issue and 
witli ilie relative positions of the combatautb unchanged. 

During all that timi^ the young Countcas, by her prcvcoco 



I 

I 

I 
I 



« 



M 



Second Battle 



uid undaunted c&thuaiMtc, kept up tlic courago oE her 
foJIowora She rodti up luid tiown in their midst, cheering; the 
bviLTtji of tho«o who appeared to be loaing grouud, and 
<txhortin^ Uicm by words of eDcourAgemcnt to pereovoro. 
Wbonevor ifhe bbw signaof flagging she sustained tho wuning 
oonnge of the woarted men^ and b^* her commutidfiticiut and 
the cxarapTd of her owd fearlessness transformed tbem into 
vefitAb!« Ueroea. 

With an litter disregard of personal safely she mode the 
woundet! Lcr spt^lal i^hargCj and a^intpd their rpmovnl frotn 
tht field to & plfLce of seciirit/, Sh«i tHiurul uji Uiutr wouudii 
wiLh tender and deft fingers, whispering the while consola- 
tion and pr&tse in the 41am of thn MifTL^rrm, and roHiTving tho 
anxieties of the dying, by promiiiiug ihut Ihcir C^uuiltw ^huuld 
be her care. 

At length Ndtore coald bear no mor«. The AhAdf>w5 of 
OTeniug full r;o(tly apoo the tired troops who, hidden From 
woh other by a mereifu) darknuaa, enatched a few honrd of 
fitfolropoKo. 

As eoOQ 04 tbo laraL rays of the nun heralded the approach 
of day th« arnai«€ a^&in renewed the strife, of which the iefluo 
still remained Guc^rtain, 

At length the patience of the O^rtnaus, which hfid for 
rteiarly ninebeon hoars been strained by the harosHing roovry 
tnente of their fintagonivtB, nsi^ t^ximnNtf^d To thf^ relief of 
both BidflM thry coASed hQE^tilitieBr and ilvdnring thcvietury 
in favour of MatiKIa, d^lr«d that a treaty mi^^lit be entered 
into with tho prioccsHL Tha terms, wbich iEichnlcd thr nitiro- 
nient of Cadaloua from Lie preteosiooa. were liaetily drawn up 
aad agrvod to, and the imperial army, in spite of the angry 
proteele cf bh« anti-pope, comLuenccd on orderly a&d 
u&tsolcetcd retreat. 

Ko oniltant feolinga which under nuoh poeuliar oiream- 
Btaticca would not only have been pardonable bntevt^n per* 
miitibto found place tn tho mind of Matilda, whose ejrea were 
overflowiofi; with ^rief for the sufferings of tho woundMl. 
Now tliat tbv excitomcDt wa« over she hud leifiuro to look 

8J 



L 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

raund upon her pdople vho had foaght 80 valiftntlj for their 
bames and liberties. Alaa! shs miss^ nmny fAtailiar focea 
from the devobeil band, and hsr beart ached for Uia widova 
and orphauH who would look tn vmn for tbe return oS tb« 
beloved oaa by wbuso toil tliey had been euBtaiuod. 

Oodfr«7, vbo had mecmwhUe recalled tbe troopa aii< 
An-ftQgod bhciQ in flometbiDg like military crdcr, coiia]<icr^ bit 
part of the a|;roemeiit fuU]]]i>d nnd, approochiug biu fiiep* 
daughter, intimated that bo va@ ready to accompany bcr to 
Rome. Sbo waited^ however, to aupcrintond the rtmovfJ of 
the wounded to the dXy. which f ortUDately was cot far distjtDt, 
ore c|uiltiiig the wd soeiie which was for ever graven opOD 
her memory. With a Ijwt farewell glance, dimmed with 
at thu bodies of the fallt^n as they were borne paat for bnrifti 
Kbe remounted h«r patient steed and rede by the aida o 
Godfrey to tb© Cu.pit.ol. 

News of tlieir success had preceded tlie arrival of tl 
victorSj and long ere their appearance the fears i>r Beatrice 
for bcr child bad been act &t reat by aaauionces of ber safety. 

The whole city was moved* and tlie iDb&litanl& with ono 
accord poured Eortli to escort the heroine from tbis her 
accond battle in defence of the Holy See. She woa, aB the 
cbrocicler retDArUa, " the tirab woman since the fall of tba 
Boman Empire of whom account mu^ bo taken in history/' 

Headed by the Pontiff and tbo CounteBs, triumphant 
prooofimon was formed to receive "the yoong warrior in 
whom/' flaya Doniao/* all had trust" Eler youth, her personal 
j^aee, appealed to every beartn She waa greeted with tbo 
blessing of Aiexunder which he publicly lieatowed amid t^a 
d^afeniug pluudifi^ of h,ti luimenue atid jubilant aasemblaga 

After staying for a few hours in the Capitol, the two 
prino QuooD and Godfrey, followed by tbe cougratulatioiia and 
thaobl of nil Rome, from Pope to p&asant, returned to 
Tustcany, Here Matilda received a no less biiiliaDt ovatioa 
from tbe welooming crowds which awaibeil bor on her paas^o 
through ^he Manjuimkt^. 

Tbe population of tbo citioe and towns poured forth to 

ea 



Return to Canossa 



moot her, Mid tho bcArty vhootfl which arcwo on aIJ sidoe 
formed A fitting ^ccompanimeDt to th« triumphiU entry of the 
<Uiigfatar of tbo wBrliko Mar^n^voa. 

At ]Gn|;tb the jouraoy, reodered the moro fatipiinj; fn3iD 
UwiDtecM excitement which had proviiiled daring its prof^M, 
WW ended CAnown WHfl renchnd.nnd ttiegRlcsof Hio flartlr 
were flung wide op«ii loadmU the * beautiful and courageous 
lavioar of hcT oouutry." 

The nnxioun frieade of the victcriona b&ndi for once anrc* 
etT&in<4 by the preaeocc of tbe Couatfusand her bc&nbifol 
daughter, could ecfireoly control their frensicd delight at the 
retom of their rclativoe and acquaintoncce. For many of 
these awaited & t^cd dieappointment, &b tliey failed to aeo 
amidst the gay throng the faces of those who had quitted 
their home« in buoynnt hopes of a sncct^asful and speedy re- 
tnnL No more would the moantainj echo their jo^ouii aoof* 
or ihoot ; their places hy tho hearth w^^re vacnnt ; they had 
givea their lires in defence of CTturch anil country. Nc 
newitpapera in those days announced in tJieir lists of 
caauidties Ihe fate of tHufie who were ktlUd or woundnd, And 
by thiH mcooa prepared the moumera to realiae their Ioha, and 
no deiaole of the conflict ha<i preceded tbo return of the 
trooptu 

All at ODce^ as if by isagic^ silonce eueeoeded the clamour, 
oad in the otUlDoaa, broken only by the «uppre«£ed weeping 
of tboee whom the war had bereft, and audible to all, were 
heard the aweet clear tonei of Beatrice. With a few welt- 
choeen wordaof thanks she disbanded heranny.and the men, 
gratified by the pmiiUT and subBtantiol rewards by which she 
showed her appreciation of their loyalty, rejoined their 
friends and tJisp^riwd to tlivir hcimes. 

Foe thr firwt time in her life the toweraof Canoaaa dearly 
outlined ag^u6t iJie clear blue aky which robbed them of 
their gloom hod boen on unwelcome eight to Matilda. An 
the joyoue ahonte of tho retreating peosonte tingorod in Ler 
eetB her feclinga threatened to master her, and ib wae with 
difficulty abe reetrained bor emotion. A more dnudfol 

89 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



oT^rnl AwnWjTt] hrr than the conflict from which she 
lriuii:|ibaull3' laaued. 

Standing in the flower of her yontb, on the Uiresliold 
womanhood, tUo pronpoct ^tl tipcnding tho Jong life whi 
lay before her with such an iincon^Du^l comp&nion 
UotHrey must havo hoott app&liiiig. She bad, howev 
counted the oost, and ehd did not hesitate to ftilfil the 
conditions which had e&oured her Btep-faUier's aasiataQCe to^ 
the canso of the Church. f 

On het return she sought an interview with her future 
hanbaiid. and with a niaontir sdFtened by modesty into liniii] 
graGiousuesB* but which failed to touch the selfi^ i4[jirii of Lb 
Bor^u, fihe gftvc Liiu her baud. Matilda made ohq «tipu]jLtion 
however with regard to her marriage^ to which Godfrey not 
unwillingly agreed- It was that she should never be required 
to qttit her beloved Italy, to reside in her eouaort'a county. 
Aa the wedded p:ur fitood before tho altnr it ecemed to tha 
spectators more fitting tliat the bride, in all the glory of her 
fifteen summore and frcah from tbo field cf battlo, slionlcl 
bavo stood in tho place of Uie bridcgroomH Her tall, elegant 
fll^ure appeared to throw into bolder relief the din^inutive 
sice and natural deformity of Qodfr^y, which bad earned for 
him the title of " Ltoaan.*' Nor woru their characters loss 
diwiHiilar The Duke of Lothftnn^a ^ as he waa now called^ 
vaaof an iut«nsely aelfl&b uaturo. Though endowed witkS 
remarkable mentnl ubilitiGs, be suffered them to he clouded 
by «ueb profound disi^inmUtiou thni, hiHiivy aBHUiiefi us, not 
«T6n hia doaest frionda had any Idi^a ol his real Intentiona, 
That tlie union with hin child-wife wn» not only unsought by 
him, hut oven diataateCul* It evident from Uie fact that no 
loontsr was tho ceremony concluded tbaa he tiet uut for 
LoLharingia- Ho entered at once into posscMion of his 
patrimony, and in return for tho favour which the Einprem 
had shown !iim, bo dcvot^^d himaelf to licr cauae. Kegaidlcss 
of hia wifo'a feclicge, he joined tlie party hostile to the Pcntifi^fl 

1 LntLnriaeiA cotiipri>cd tbc (orrilory bctwcta tlw Rliine, Ujuu uid 



I 




po 



^ 



Marriage 

tt^ftiiviiwliom he emptojred bii Mcnt^ in ^cct^fisivtt inirififneft. 
The aaUgonLfiUQ did not spring from Any peraonckl difllikd to- 
wud«AlQxander» for his ecbemcfl vrerc also c&rriod on Aguinat 
hi4 floecassor in the i^tipal chair, but Imd for ita object the 
aupprcwioD and Bubjagatioo of the Church which he 
reproeeuted, 

UMilda had rc^ardod tho unioD with tho Duke ab a 
Baeriflco of hdnolf to the Holy Sqq, but Bb« vrtxs yet womaoly 
•ooagh to Feci deeply wounded by hie deeertiotL Her 
r«l^kvi wbicli WW lior comfort -vr&s nl tbc same time her 
nonitor, and forbade her to harbour feelings of reaentnient 
agaiEiat tlie man to whom, io ibe presence ofGocI, she had been 
united in the sarrratiient of marriage. 

Though hKc ii4?ver aaw his face again nnbil the pallid hues 
of deatb lay upan iLH^sht* inten^Bdetl fur blm &t St Tttttr'ai and 
bofoAYi the throne of Ue&vun. Wbllo* with ouDnicg art 
Godfrey plaimcd tbe rnin of the popcfi. bia vrifo'n jii^hft and 
lean slood betwoen him and excommunication, and obtained 
for him, though not tilJ his loat hour, the grace of repentance 
and forgiveuesa. 

It ia fiif^ticant of the fact that Mfvtilda'n union waa 
rof^aided by her coo tempo rariee as a political meaua of 
Itreagtheniiig tho hands of the Pontitls, and therefore not to 
be Uf^htly ^okea of, that the Bubject has never been 
commented on by Donizo. The historian of the family, who 
foUowa BO minntely the course of hia pupil's career, U silent^ 
Hi« faithful ppdi refii^ea to chronicle this important event 
in her life. ni?i patrioLi&m d^pIorvH tht- fnct tlmt of the race 
of tho mighty Margravea of Tusc^any there rii^mainR but the 
feeble arm of a girl to atand butweou the Pontiff and Itia 
eoetniea- Ilia poetic soul, torn by condicting emotions of 
fidelity to Iht; papal throne and the fearful coet by which ita 
aafcty was aasmcd, finds no uttt: ranee of hia grief in verse. 
Thia rctioonoc i« an eloquent tribute of bin appreciation of 
Matilda'e heroic act, the mention of which ho pofiac^ over with 
syinpatby ond regret beyond the powor of a[?eech to record* 

Beatcico wu oven moro keenly mortified than her 

91 




bcr 

1 



Matilda, Countess of Tusciuiy 



dutghter s,i Qodfreya dcfoctioD* ond her clinging DAtnn' 
mtmghi \a vain £or a connaoUor to whom ahc oould oooftdo bcr 
matcmal distraaa Ef or hnabsmd, who folt no sympathy 
her in Uio matter, was mdilFi^riMit, and Matilda herself AO^mt 
tmwilliQg to approaob tho subject 

There waa od«, her friend Hildebrand, who would he nH% 
ftDd willing to direct her, and to him ^e wrote, a^Nqiiainting 
htm with the events which liod tak&u pijkoe, and of which 
mmoiire hod reached hint Jn the midHt of the anxietiiw 
which wen? criLsiled apna him m h'la m'wmons of reform, hu 
hod notbetia unniiiidfii] of hia friends in Tuac&Dy. ^ 

The FWEifiwer to the appeal of the priQcesit for advioiH 
assumed a practical fono< Soon after tho d&apatch of her 
letter she received a visit from the isncceaeor of AJeaLandcr in 
the See of Lucca, wbidi his elevation to the papal chair had 
rendered vacant* ^ 

Thta was Ansclm, a naLive of Bcatrico'e city of &lAntti9, 
where he received his odacation in " gmmmor and logic/' and 
oE which he afterwards hecame the patron saint.^ H 

On thifi occasion he had not come as a pasiang gnest. hot to 
remiun with Beatrice and Matilda as their apiritual director. 
Cardinal Uildebrand had aent him to the pHnceflsi^a '* to be ft 
guide to them in all thtnga.^' '* As Jeaua wh^n expiring upon 
the CroHs conGded His Mother bo nis well-beljived disciple/ 
wriUm mi auLhority, "thus did Gregory (Hildehrand)^ Prince 
at the Roman Church, when he confjUtMl to Aiihelm iht* 
Couotras/ The Bisbi^p U deacribed as being "eminently 
experienced in tbo paths of an interior life, and wliilu he 
studied or conversed with others hia heart wan virtually 
united to Qod, and every ohjcet ecemcd as it wero to raise hJa 
uHeotiona afresh to his Creator" Hia practical piety and 
kttowitid^e of public (.^venta fitted him for his position, and 
until his death, a quarter cf a century later, he retuini 
office delegated to him by Cardinal Hildebraad. 

' Annelm BxcU^^iuB, l^ijihop of l.ut:ca, vf\io en LIa ounncorblion took the 
ilUe of Alexander IL, «u » motive of Milui, ^diJ Ihou^h » h<Ay man 
never cviouivcd. 




on 




93 



A 



Henry IV 



^n>o events wliich were in iKe meantime anfolding ihtm-- 
■elvM Id Gertufiny h^. Lq their C0Qsc>(jucnccB» Bach influence 
OQ and sach intiniato coaocction vritli the tifc of Matilda, 
thftt it is neoesBary at this point to follow them aomcwhat in 
doUii. 

LittJe did Bfratnco dn>am as ebe offered up a daily prayer 
for her nophQW the yoiJti<; King, that tha conseioueneas of hia 
evil cooduH would haitvn her own end. Still less did she 
forwo the oalamitiea with which in after yean ho wrecked 
tbe peaco and happiness of her own child. 

There was much in cnmrnnii between Henry and Matilda, 
Each was bom of royal lineage, each was of a pleasing 
exterior, and each imhibed fToin their iWvs couraj^e and 
montal capw^ity to fill with honour the high po.sitiorifl to 
which they were htira lu age there waa only a difreren<» of 
fonr years between the cousins, but from their early Ghildhi.xxl 
thero waa a marked dinjuknty in temper and {UnpoAiticm, and 
this coDtraat became more atrikin*; oe they advanced into 
youth. 

Of the two widows apoa wbom fell the rcsponsibiUiy of 
rearinf: tbeee royal ehildrcn, Be&triec aeoorded her daughter 
a jndieioafl and what would oven in the preseot age be eon- 
■Id^Md severe training;. Af;ne3« on the other hand, permitted 
tlie ikoble int^Ueet of her son to remain uncultivated, and by 
ft CooUah indutgence allowed no restraint upoD his eaprieea 
aod no eorreetion of his faulu. 

On« of the most remarkable men of Germany at that 
period, and one who with stem hand attempted to guide the 
king in the path of ^Inty wnet Ilanno, Archbishop of Cologne, 
aod to whom that city owed many important improvements 

Of high deecent and heir to vatit eatatca, the prelate had 
bWD oarly bred to arms, and his friends prophesied for him a 
brimaot OATMr, for which his birth and military skill 
enmoDtly fitted him. Contrary to their erpoctationd, the 
yoong kDight relinquished bis profeeaion, and following the 
esampla att by maoy eanjest'thinking nobles of hia ticne, he 
retired to a mouasuij. 

93 



L 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

TlkC dinoipline of early yca.T» rondoroJ the monotony 
the daily roaod of monastic life leaa irk^omo to HaQco than 
woatd hAvo beon tho cue hiul not hi« high mettle been 
tdEQpcr4>d by soldierly obedienci>. Th^ tmbltfl of self-rt-^etmint 
nc^iiirofj in thn ctiinp renderi^il him tun ndmimblp and docilo 
pupil, ojid his intense application to study r^nitrkly dieveloped 
?jiH powerful iiiti-llect. Thi? air of (command which iHtnberent 
la atroug iialurte, followed the kiught into tlio clobter, fiJid 
be ia dcecnb€^d by a coEtcmpDrary as buiug ci man of proad 
presence and utera temper, and "more fitted to wear the 
aceptrc and sword than tho crosier," 

Thclato Bmporor found lu U^nno a spirit akin tohiaows, 
and between tbo two thoro oxisted a warm and IfLstin^ friend- 
ship. In order to keep him near his porson, Honry creatod 
hiin ProvoBt of the Cathedral of OoehLr in Lower Saxony 
where be hod fixed hia royal resideuoe and where the priooe 
WELS born who was, in softer years, to thwart all the priiiate'o 
plans for the etability of the throne, 

Daring the year 10^6, the last of Henry's life, Hanoo 
aucceeded to the See of Cologne, and on the death of the 
Emperor became Prime Minister and a^iHted Agnes in the 
government dunng Uie fir»t part of the king'H minority. ^ 

Stem and even forbidding in his manners to Lis w|iiall^ 
Ranno was really of a warm-hearted nature, and bis 
genero^ty towmrda public improvements in hia diooeae waft 
royally oiunifice^ llt& charity springing from a fountftin 
of love was copioue and cxhau&tlead and wideuod out in 
boundless limits in all directions. With his own hands be 
daily dtatribntod alms and food to crowda who gathered 
round the gates of hiH palace. Touched by theirmiecric^'* be 
sought thorn oat in their cottages and carried to theoa, some- 
times on his own shunhlcm, blankets sod other ncceseariee.'' * 
Ho dit^peusGd his gifts with snob a gracious and tender 
dcmeanonr towards the recipients, that the grateful poov 
idoliiii^d the pnneely giver, not »o mudi for hia aid ag For the 
kindly f^pirit in which it wfue rt:»ndered. 

■Minn Butler 




Henry under Hanno 



Such wfu» tho niAn whom th<f Emit^ror liii<d desired to^ 
the guATclLui of his aon. nofoTiuuatcly, Lhv haughty apint 
of Uie widowed Agnea would brook co rival at the holm of 
St«4o. She relufitd Hanno's guidftnoo And preferred to 
pvirwu olaoe her weak and oualoBa policy, which thrcat«ndd 
th« diaraplion of the Bmpir«. In her nDxicty to gain fneode 
for the erowu. ahe ;|;r&£iti.<(l ducliieH to lueu known to te 
ho«tilo to ihe imperijil coiirtn By tticnc concenpiocn nhc not 
only atrtitgtliencd the handa of her enomica* but aUo rooBod 
tluijCAkiQ^y of thoao nobUe whoiv^ IcytiHy hikd received no 
reward. Ht>t fcobte hold upon tim aeeptrd enabled thcAe 
prinoos who boii boon deprived of tlieir powor by the ]$X^ 
monarch to win bacic th^lr poBBee&tona and with them thijir 
popularity and intlu»nc(^ 

Nor wa« the Empress more successfnl in the treatment of 
her cbiM, whose moral nature was being wrecked by ber 
vacillation- 

Wben Henry was in his tenth year, the Archbishop witJk- 
dr6W hlni entirely from the charge of hia mother^ who wan 
totally nntit for the taxk fif i-otitrolLing tho high -tempered and 
wilful King^ Hanno then aflbumed the piosiLion of lU-goni. 
aud CQiiifititiitGd himaelf, aeeording to tho wbhea ol the 
dfloeavsd SiDperor, the guardian and tutor of the youthfnl 
mouarctu 

It may well be ima^inf^d that i\ chihl ao apoilt by hia 
mother's induLgcnco would not be happy under the rule of 
auch a vtriet dtacipUnarian. Uo daily chafed at the long 
hours of etudy and the incessant restraint bo was forced to 
pla«o upon the haughty temper to which hitherto he had hoee 
alJow«d to give full vent it was new to the boy to yield hit 
will and inctiiLatiCDB at thi> command of another, and despair- 
ing of obt^ning the maj^tery by violence of paaaion, he took 
refuge in a iuIIl^d ubrdiifncc^ 

The Archbtshop, with diplomatic foresight* waa moRt 
aoijoiu Uut Hc-ury shuuM coaitoHditii hiH tc^ttering throne 
bygaiuiug the goodwill of tha iiupL'rmI feudaloricH. TuAitain 
thia entl he obligi^ him to receive and visit in tain the moat 

95 



£i 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

powerful of the S&xOD prinoea Bat th« besu^ded rougb^ 
looking w(irrior«; with their blunt uncourtly ways ftnd load 
speecb, fouDtl do fftvoor in the eyes of the wUful child. He 
rofuBcifl with obaUtiat^a persjbl^^nce to make tmy nrxpontt^ to 
their fritndly and goud- humoured ovtirturce or Hv«n in 
■cknowJ^go thoir prcflcQCe when they nppcArcd at conrtu 

Probjtbly. M bktnrliuiA au^gast, thU bojk'Uh ftati|)alhy 
would h&vo bcca ovootnftJIy overcome had Uoory's oppor- 
tuuitiofl of irtMting the priDceas been more fr«^U£nL A 
clOBor ocqiirLintaDco would have made a moro fftvonrablo 
impTDSsioD tMid uufoldud to hw growing iotcUigcncc the 
BtorJiag worth which lay hiddon beneath t^i^ir tinpoliahod 
Qxteriorfi. UufoHuuat^ly^he did not remain long enough with 
Hanao for his dislike to b(* softened or removed, and hence- 
forth his life waa apent with men who still further prejudi^ 
his ruinJ against th& unoiTendin^ chieifs. 

Had the King been lefi to the tuition of the saintly Arch- 
bishop, and undergone a severe though judicicins training, the 
whole course of his nol^ajipy life wouM have been changed. 
" Hie natural propeuiiitieH make It difHuult to judg» vkh«ther 
he would have proved a good man," yet under the charge of 
so keen a poUtician aa Hanno, he would at le&st have proved 
a fluccessful monarch, capable of wielding with authority the 
' * sceptre of h\B airean But, alas I ere he had learned the value 
cf his tutor, and before ho had overcome the fauttj engendered 
by overindulironee, the poor child was again thrown into the 
vortex of self-gratification and tdleneaa. 

In the October of 1061, when Henry had been little moci# 
than a year with Hanno, th^ Archbishop w«nt to Rome. He 
intundtMl by liia preaence at the coronation of Alexander to 
testify hiB loyalty to that Pontiff, and. in upite of the wiEd^ee 
of this EiupresA to the contrary, he would not foregn his 
reeiolaliou. 

During hia abeence the " talented and witty, but gay aud 
immoral " Adalbert, Bishop of Ikemen, succeeded in drawing 
the King into bio power. The monarch being youog and 
impreeaionable, hailed with delight the freedom, tJte diaugc 

96 



A 




Empress Quits Germany 



afifbrd^ ADd was not At all willing to rcLum to tbo atrict aiit- 
v«ilUDCe of hid fonu^r guardUQ, lu Adalbert'a pnlocc he 
wub( fall liberty to <)<^votc hio hoara to c&se And pktuiurd, 
and to mdtil^ witbonb restmint in tho liccEitioua customd of 
the day- Uir pftr-.'TionB, encoiirngcii by the *;Kflmp]e of the 
worldly pri^latv, bccamo hiii master and made it monil ship- 
w«ck of lUI the gl^rioua and noble <{UAlitie9 he bad iohetited 
firom bi« aired. 

If the EtDpruHK tkjkd euterUiuod bop^a tbat h«r e<»i's 
removal frooi Hanno'e cfaftrgc would restore b«r own 
Authority >e Rt^gnnt, ulie was soou undeceived. Adalb^^rt w&h 
f«x too politic to allow her to resmne the reina of govern meat, 
which be preferred to keep in hia uvn haude* The yoiiitg 
Kii^f; who, aoconliiig to biatoriauB, Ivealvd all eerioue matters 
M A joBti wois ooly too glad to i^aign his ieeponsibiliii«fi to 
whofnaoever would nelicTe hua of the trouble^ The wily Ar^- 
biahop thcrcfciro soon p^Mcawcd hini:«olf of the «aprciiiG 
aotbontj' which waa dupple:mertted by absolute oontrol of the 
axohaqnar. 

The poaitioQ of the Empr^Bs wo^ todeod a most acib&ppy 
dMk Bereft of hor hn^baTid, ond ecparatod from h«r cbUd, 
Ihera oe^ed but the ufiurpatioo of her power in the empire 
to crDsh her proud spirit to the eartli. Bitterly had yhe 
deplornl heT boatile Attitude towards the Church upoo whose 
gaotki Uwrnii kIic now desireil to breAtbe out, lier repeiitaiiee 
mod her ^lef- 

Qnitting Cermnny where she wA'^no longer acknowledged 
aa B«geat. abe repaired t*> liome» tbat boaroe of the humbled 
and oootnt^. It was but aixtuen years since she bad laat 
visited the Capitol. Then aho had entered the city ae a bride, 
ftDd, escorted by a lar^e aud brilliiuit retinue, bod been lod by 
bar hosbaud to Uia throne aud crowned as Empress amid the 
acdantationa of the crowd. Tho«e daye bad paaaed, and now 
ahe waa returning to the acana of her triotnph. overwhelmed 
}fy mbfonun«« which were tor the greatCT part tJae conae' 
qiUQcea of her own weskneM and folly. Laying aside* for- 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

over her jewels and rich robes, she clothed herself in the 
co&rae Mack g^rh by which peritLenta tftaLltled to their coDtri- 
tioQ for y^ai ein.s. Guating herself at the foet oF Lhe Pontiff 
wbom ID her days q0 pride she had oppofiudn she hegged the 
Apoatolic forgivon^a that AJcxaDder n&3 only too ready to 
ftccord. Although etlll in the prime of life. Agn«a» we^ury of 
the world, sought comfort a&d peace m the ahclter of the 
cloister whore, although eho took no vowa, ehe remained in 
•trict aecltision Qcitii her death soma sixteen years later. 
The calm tmeventful routine of her conventua] Life continued 
uobrokeu, eicoept by the rare advent of vi&it<jre from Germany, 
whose reporU of her aon's miadoings filled hor cup of sorrov 
to the brim. 

The opposition of the Empress to the fr^e election of 
Alexander, far from preventing the reform of which it wai 
tha pioneer, aerved to strengthen the deciaiona arrivcil at by 
preceding Popee, "that the hnndfl of the PontifFft ebould no 
longer be manacled with the fetters of worldly ad v&uccm^i." 



Sfi 



i^ 



Laws against Simony 



CHAPTER V 

Oc4'« blttdojc oik the ajchit«c(« vrho build 
Thft bridg«« t/«r tvitt riv«>ni unil nhjHMkt 
BttfoM impaibl* Co human tool ; 
Ki^ Ictfb than tb« baildcra of (Ntthedf^ 
Whote nuuulrc voIIji vo briiJsH throvn mmu 
^0 lUrk KDd Ccrribla nbyin of DoAtliH 

Unto tbpi cburah't hi<!idt an ih<< rhi«f buildw 
And fircliitcct of tho inviolblo bridf^ 
TIiaLh lTf.&ilii fjijui vutli lu ht<nvuii.^ 

UttnUiT the ilrBt act of Alesiinijer h&d b««Ti to ccrovone & 
^^BoBoil at which one handred Bishops from all parts of 
Europe were preaeDt At this nieetipg were condrnied the 
dacrOM which had l^een repeatedly issued agninet " inconii' 
neitl clerics and parttcDUH^ siincny, a vicu which infected 
all tho ftlecUona of the time." 

Th« l&WB llna levelled adjust aiuiony were especiallj" 
rcccntcd by Adoibortn The prelate hod no Icoa than twelve 
beaeficea tmdet hut charge for whidi he openly tiafficked, 
ftnd which proYod a Eru>t£ul source of rcvoDHC for the King 
mul for hinieelf. 

Not only w&e Henry encouraged in bid pemidons hftbitfi, 
but funds were supplied from zhe colTerB of the Church to 
ise«t the expenses of his licentious pleBscres. By thia 
faftneful eXAuiple and infueuce, the Bishop fostered in the 
mind t)t his yoatig charge a diHrt-ganl of the ecclesittAtical 
right* of which, when crownal Emperor, he would swear to 
booojne the avowed champion. The wabdet of autngoiiism 
and defiance of the Holy Sco thus early developed in a 
fraitlul noil, were never afterwards eradicated. 

99 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Kor WW ihln intolerance cooflQed to HpiritURl mutters, 
but cxteaiJed to state aETairs, aud led to Mrrioua dlatorlrADcca 
in the Eliapire. KncourAged hy AdiUbcrt's ehort sigh tod 
policy, the King ridiculed Iho tiftxoa diiefa to their fftc«tt. 
and bj hiti ini^ults bo roused their ire, that they broke out 
into opoD raboilion. Tho rising woa quickly eupprcsfled by 
the imporukt troops, but the courage of the prince wae not 
dampod by this reverse. The pow*rM Dukea of SnAbia ftnd 
B&viLrin. tliuugh r^uieted for ft time^ were not contjaered, nnd 
only AWAited an opportunity of revenging tbemseltres for the 
Kind's insolence nnd tyranny. 

Id the following yofw (10^5) Adalbert, unwilling to tak^ 
the further reeponsibiHty of th« Jtegency. dedju«d tlie King, 
though only in Lia eisteouth yenr^ to havo Mtaincd hia 
minority. The BieLop did nut, by thie &ct, tntond to rtoi^-n 
the roinft of power, which by flattering the vices and hi3iDo'ar- 
ing the fancictt of the ^-onthful monarch, he atiU lrufite<i 
rotain. 

King but in niune, Henry took up LiB royal raaid&cfio 
his birtbplaQ<«> Goelar, a well^fortiOed city which lay at the 
foot of tho Rammelsbcrg, in the h*art of Saxony. The dty 
dated back to the year 920» when it was fonndinl hy the first 
who bore the namta upon wliie}i Heory brought anch discr^diL 

Tbb reatlees noble§« roused to Fury hy the continued mia* 
government of the King, which they rightly aacnbed to 
Adalbert, at longth took action iind made a midnight attack 
upon the palace. The terrified courtiers Ded in dismay, and 
the Bishop barely escaped falling into tho handa of the irate 
Saxons, who had ^lurroundod the building in the hopce of 
taking him prii^oucr. 

It hud Ix^on the wiah of tho lato Emperor that his infant 
eon should be b«trothed to hie cousin Matilda, Being unabU 
io effect hia purpose, he chose iDstead Bertha, dangh^r of the 
Utrgrave of 8nca, The Lady is described ils being excei^d- 
iogly pl^n and homely in appearance and manntfn), but of 
a most loving and amiable disposition. Hanno had, by 

too 



IT- 

I 




Henry Seeks Divorce 

Ad&lbort'a disgnca, rcgckined ecmewbat of bia authority ov^r 
tho King, ftnd irastiDg that her goctloD^ae nad pioty woold 
bjiv« ft Aaluttuy efTitct upon him, oompullcd LiiD to fulfil tb« 
«oatnict oaten:d into by bis father. 

Henry h&d, how«v«t, aa tho momli^t sternly remArkK, 
faiAtod too fr*^ely of the swi^uts of liberty to be hnppy wilb >o 
virtuous and elderly a apouae. 

In 1068 he became animated vfith aiDch a dislike of the 
i^cen, that he petitioQed Alexander to grant him a divorce. 
Ibe P<»ittir tbertiapoD fitnt Teter Damian to Germany aa 
Loeat^ in order to convince the King of the ein and foUy of 
lua conduct, and to assurt^ him of the impoei&ibility of acood- 
ing to hiB refjticst- 

The aged Bishop, to whcm no labours in the service of the 
Cbnreh were toe arduous, jiccupt«<l thi> tniut, and ttiougb 
t^tyyeara of aga, cheerfully bore the discomforts of hU 
naplcAMiDt journey. 

A meeting of King and noblea was summoned at 
Pnnkfort, at which tbo Legato (aid before them " the orders 
aad instructions of His Holiness, aud in his namo conjured 
Ubo King to pay a due regard to the Uw of Qod and his own 
repntAlion* and to serionaly reflect upon the public scandal 
of K> pemioioun an example," ^ 

PMar IMmian's vendrablc form, habited aa usual in coaraf 
iSckdoth, which hunj; loosely upon hb emaciated body, ana 
his itnpa^ionad speech, bad such an effect upon tho a^Aembled 
nobility that they roee aimultaneou&ly and untreated the King 
to raganl the Bishop'e adncv. 

Henry, stiL<iiig thi^t there was no chance of obtaiuipg 
TvleuM froCQ bis marriage bonds, nniJ that pnpnlar FeeUng waa 
Afrakufli him, wa>i forced Ui yields hut witb a very baij grfu^, 
and. as the hi.'^nan quaintty remarks, " remaining the same 
man in his heart continued to hate the Queen more than 
ever," 

Beaihst who loved her bAndsomc boyhusbfrndt bore his 
*AIVn RuUrr. 



k^ 



. 




80 

1 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



eontumBly with pBiieoce, aad clung to bim with a canslancx^ 
that never wavered daring all the ^^eara that she HuiTered 
£roro liifi inBoltfi and ueg]ect. She was a piooa and viri^ncu^l 
Queen, and ancoutAminattid by the loose morality of th^^ 
Coort, ihe preserved a gpotless reputation, untarniahed by tho 
tGTQptatioDS placed in hor way by tho KiEig. On onooccadioa, 
at hiB Qugf^tioD she arroQ^d for na ev^nmg visit from a 
poDtloman of the Coart, Henry^ only too gUd oi a chacoo of 
incriminating the Qaeen, k«pt the appointment, and on hio 
entrance the doom were, by bis orders, Imw^iately locked 
from without To his BQq^risE*, the lights which were burn- 
ing low were suddenly extingni^ed, and Berthii and her 
handmaideuH.dijire^Ariliaghisprotestrabious, threw Lhemselrea 
upon him, Preteudiug not to recoguiae hla voicu, they so 
fioandly belaboured the unfortunate monarch that he ivaa 
braised to appear in public for (Several days. 

Hcinry eooo wearied of bis eaforced retirement and honrl] 
bemoaned the absence of Adalbert, who, by fostering hia 
pleasures, had made himsolf indispensable to tbe King'f 
hoHfipineas. The restraint at length became intolerable, and 
in spite of tbe prayers and teore of Beitha and the wamingo 
of Haono, he recalled tbe exiled Bishop and openly restored 
him to Court The decease of Adal^rt within the year 
relieved Bertha Bjjd the empire from an enemy, the resulta of 
^vboaaevil triunmg had sapped the moral life of tb^ pupil 
whose future he had ruiaed. 

On the death of hia eo-caHed friend, Henry openly ahowod 
his contempt and dislike of his Saxon subjt^ta* whom he 
treated "as a conqnered race/' At length a deputation of 
the chiefs attended upon bim for the purpose of having on 
interview on tbo subject of their grievances. The King, with 
frowning brow, bade tbe phnoee await hia leisure in on ante- 
room, from whence through the open door they could he^r 
hifl coarae jests at their expenae. All day they waited, frotr^ 
ting and fuming in thi^r impatience and angur at the' 
indignity with which they were treated. *'But who ahotl 

tot 




Disturbance in Germany 

describe the feelio^ of the depativtioii," B&ya thd hietohu), 
''wbdo as the evenin]; heg&n to doee in they were diGmiased 
onhenrd and unrefreshed after their long bonrs of waiting" 

The Heqtie) is not hard to ^Uvea. Arrived at their homes, 
the enmged chieftainB aummotfod their followeriH and pro- 
ceeding with all ha^te to Qo^r, took the King hy purprine. 
Hla CftTolflBfily mounted gtuuda were quickly overpowered, the 
•orvile courtier* fled duritig the panic which enaucd, and 
Henry was left entirely at the mercy of bia justly irut*j 
nI24^^atns. The triamphact uoblca were not alow in avaiJing 
tfaenwelvee of tliie opportunity of compelliug tho King to 
grant thorn a hearing. A Coanei) was liaatily summon^, and 
Henry was forced to sign a treaty by which he ceded all their 
deuiandf^ including b promise " to reform if not hia private at 
IraMch his public life.'* By tbia prompt action the chiefs 
aecurtid an end of the disorderly scenes by which the l^ing 
Lad dtsgrnced his reign,&&d,foratinieat)eafit,thetranqaiiUty 
of the i^OTomment was aAsxired. 

The diAtnrbanccti in Uorniany which had tbua cutminEited 
io the revolt and victory of tJie Saxon ttobleo had by its 
disruption of political authority tended greatly to tbo 
advantage of Italy. 

The election of Alexander by the free Tot^ of tbe 
Cardinals was a marked event in tbe annals of that countryn 
Tbe signal saceean which had attended thu exettiona of 
Uatilda mi the Pontifl'e behalf had infused the poopio with 
courage and comented tlie more atrougly their iittachiuent to 
his cauBQ. Aroused from their real or feigned indificreoce, 
they rightly condaded that the iutereats of Italy and Ihoao 
of ,Ul0 Holy See were idaDtical. '* Their patriotic Bentiment 
noeiTed," remftrka the historiao, "a wholoeome impetus," and 
tli€ir proverbial love of freedom boc&me fully awakened. 

CadaloQs, the anti-pope, deprived by the uueettled condi- 
tiOD of the empire, of government euppcrt, waa unable to 
retrieve the fortunes of war which had di^lared in favour of 
Alexander, He was therefore compelled, though unwiUiDgly, 

lOJ 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

to forc^ his dftimnQd ab&adon&Ukopeof evcroccopying 
papal chiGtir The chain of etibimBAioii to Gernumy bemg i 
coTorod, tbo frcodcm of the Chun*b cmd of luUy was. ftt oay' 
nt« for A time, secorcd. The inhabitants of that soniiy land 
ware left to dovc'Icp with vniytng industry tha resources of 
their rich aijd fertile soil Froro hiU anil valley nwn the glad 
song of the happy peA«aQtA aa they chGiMfiilly pursued the 
djulj occupritions which the wnr luhd iDLe^^upt«^d. |fl 

There waB one OJtccptioD. however, to the ^D«ral nild of^ 
peace, and that watt iu iht^ Norman actttemeata. Sicily hfti 
Jong been the prey of tho Soracoae^ who came id Inrge hordve 
arifj ovoiran th& countryH Roger, brotherof Robert Otiiacardt 
who hud roeoived upon their eoxnploto evaeaatioD oE hie 
tttrritory, engaged himaelf iu a eevere war for this parpo*«L 

The Pontiff mark^ hia approval of the work of rep«Ilinfr 
the infideljj by Binding a t>pucial envoy to the Count, bearing 
his blesain^ antl asfiuranci^H of hia prayo/s for d>o aacceas <4H 
the Chrfstian army. The mesfiengerB aJso brought as a 
praaent tu RogeraeoEiaei?rat4?d hrinner, wrougljt in a wend erf q J 
deaign of silver, and worked, it U snppoBud. by tho clcvi 
flngdra of MutilJa &uJ her liandiuAidi^na. 

Proudly waved tho ^laudard of the Church in the van 
the little army of three hundred reaolate warriors whom tha 
brave chief led forward to attack ojid to defeat mtoqI^ni 
thouBandof their foee. "Inadocuiaentetill proaerved," 
learn that the Pontitt' "granted a plenary tndn1genco"t« 
who wrested any portion of the ialand from the invaders,' 

Another standard, hleeeed by Akxandor and wkich watf' 
probably also the handiwork of Matilda^ was sent to Williaai 
of Normandy, It wa^ xrith the sanction of AI^fxandtT that 
the Duke ani^rad iq>oii the iuvauou of £&gland» which **Jh 

iThtawaifiaflriyllTv^^ntTiHM before the ReformftUcin, mh«i Marihi^^ 

Ijnthn',^ taUnff noscCouTLi of dnten rr fncUof hiiEorj, hA^L^in Lttompr.jtiff 
to pinw UlKt Indiil^Ji^Pf trrrr of niodprn inwntton, tuppmuHi ttiii uia 
^«r inslAiimi u-hidi (itovl* tijr cuntrrvry." Lirnt of tie Htynftn Poi/Uifg, 
b|- tb« Ohflv&ller D'ArUtid il« MantA^r. 

t04 



1 

ha 

=1 




Alexander aiid the Normans 



r^jj^arded at the time &a a reli^c>U£ nndertakinfr. Tbo bannor 
vrttvud at tho niAst-head of the ship vrhicli conveyed him 
acrofls the Cb&DD«l and floated over his tent in the centre of 
th« camp, while hi« men *' tnade their thrift ami cuhmaJ tliem-* 
6^1 ve« to he hooaelled/' 

Tlie tendur hnart of the Pupe wam Kitsch ti>u<zhiHl hy Uir* 
aad condition of i}^*^ Je^n, who w«^re at thrit perioit v«ry 
cruelly Lreabod, "i^vca their munler beiii^ couaJdered aa a 
meritorious act-*' DmiDg hie pontiScatc bo mode every effort 
to aUteviate their trnfferiagQ and to mittgato the injuetice 
under which they vcro emarting;. in his numorons eocy- 
olicaU to prolatoa of all oountn^B, he Goufitantly trgfid 
a roform in the treatment of thoeo law-abiding but un- 
fovtonat^ childreD of laraol Writing to th« F^neh 
Btabope on this subject, he praieed them for not haviiig 
nUMntraged nnmerit«d craoltiua ag^nst " a people evdr 
dmr to Ood and now scattered over tha world by Hin 
justioa" 

So much WM Aloxander ocoupied with Iho duties of hin 
pontificate thai though Iua houI Icm^ed to be in Tudcany 
among bt» faithM tlock* he was unablo to tcnr hitnnnlf away 
from Konae- He, howftvern uLaintained a correspoudt^ncfi with 
hia late dioccAo of Luoca, and neat for Bomo of the Canonn 
attoobed to the Cathodrai to take U|> their abode at 8t John 
Latomi.^ 

Ko aaay pottal system facilitAted tho transport of vritten 
aomDiimlcationa In tho»u day», and letters were generally 
seat by monnc^d couriers, who^e safe arrivnl wiw oft^n a 
inatc«r of doubu. Nat oaly was trtivblliug rendert^ diflloolb 
at oarbun timee of the year, but partfl of bho country weni 
infflNtad wiih gangsi of mercenaries wh^t lay in wait to reliere 
wayfarers of tbeir property. In spite of the difficulties of 
lraofiit> many meua^M pa«Bdd between tiie Poutilf and the 
pciooeeBea, oonUimner flfltfurances of hia rc£;ard and reminder* 

■ Thtxr ttKKOtmtn an aijtod to thib daj " (b« Cbnoa* Regular at 6t 
Jofan LaAcraa." 

loS 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



that they liad not yat fulfilled Utd promise tbey h%d made 
viaitliira 

It w%B not until the t€>nl-Ti year of fjis reign Ihni t1 
OottnteoB ftud b«T drtughtei found ac cpporluDity of Ht&rtii 
on the long-doferrod joamey. During all Ihoeo y* 
Be&trtce had been cugj^ed with the aflairfl jC ber marquifl&ti 
And atao in maiQlaiDing n c^nutant Ti^lancc, leot 
aimonitus of Lombardy abould contomtuate the eli>ot:oQ of 
prrlntcc to tht* varioua Seoe conttvmod in her territory. 
Other enemies, too, there were^ who might prove eoarceJy leaa^ 
formidnbJo to the Tnat^Al proi3p«rity of her people than wi 
the former to iLuir epiritufil welfaj^e. Tbeee were tl 
Normans, who bitd settled to I urge numbers in close proximil 
to the Tiucan iKiundary. and of W'bose cruelties exaggeral 
rumours had eprt^ univerHal t*?rror. But ilicy proved to 
lesfl troubl<iaoiiio uei^dibuurs than Befl-trioe antmipated, tun 
with a chivah^oiiB punctiliouaiiefia avoided any eucroacluacnt 
iu her dom&ia, ^^ 

Matilda, now in her twenty-fifth year, was etill ardcfitiy 
fittacheJ to ber literary pursuits Donia^o dc^aoribea ber 
an ha%4n^ an inaatiablo thirst for knowledge^ and « boiog 
particuJarly clever Lu muking tronslaticnft of the valua1>le 
and scarce manoseripte of her favourito Greek, L&tm, Froncb 
or German authors. By this means ahe woe constantly 
adding to her already large colleetion of books, and she 
becamo in course of time the owner of otie of the finest 
libraries of the period, hardly inferior to those of til* 
Benedictine mouaaterit^s, which wuri^ recowned. 

In this age, wbec books Euid niaga^>inei4 are daily multipl; 
ing to keep pace with the requirements of omnivorous: 
it is difficult to realiae what au amount of labour wm COm< 
prieed in Mivtildrt's litcr&ry work. Nor can vre flsbimftte 
aright the pnticnce which she brought to the aid of copying 
rare aud valuable mauueicripta. These pExrcbmont^ which 
were bcrrowod from the varioua monastic inetilution«^ 

tdfi 



Lultiplffl 
reader^l 



Literary and Social Labours 

Earope, W6ra not unfroqtiently yellow with Age and greasy 
from coDat&Dt lue. It was only by poring hour after hour 
anj dny after dny over the scarcely decipherjible writing, we 
ATv told, tli&t she waa &blu to reproJucif tlje worka ahe d&^red 
U> posBBSS. To her lusidtioiis culttvaLiOEi of the uicieat 
wtiUfSt ba» beea atlrihutt^d the pre^ervatioD of the Tuscan 
dialttts. which huve ret^uued their purity and have become 
uuoparably woven into the clafiaic literature o( Italy.' 

The paJ&cca of Beatrice aud M<ttilda wore veritable 
trcAdurchoTJaQB oi literatnro and ecicDco. Within them were 
j^therod oil that woe iiobl« of iDtvUeot aud virtue and what- 
ever in that ago of budding »tt was refined and bcontifoL 
Their apartmeiita were adoroed with deaigos in needlework, 
tbL* prodtiction of the industry oE the princeBsei; and that of 
tbor handmaidens Here were embroidered knightly banners 
which led the Christian armies to coni|it€gL Here also were 
wrought in gttld and silver threat] rich v«atmeut« for the 
clergy and lovely altar cloblia for the churcLoe, and hero, too, 
wore fashioned and made warm garments for the poor. 

Th« Qcicncc^ of chomiBtry was practised by the Couut^saa 
and ^icr daughter, who, in common with the ladtea o£ their 
time, were akiHed in the art of healing. With their own 
bands they prepared wonderful ealvefi, principally Gompoaed 
of the pure oil of tho oHv^, with which they dressed the 
aoTtti and wounde of the poor. From Urn h^rbs wbicli were 
collected and carefully dried by Matilda &nd ber attendante, 
wens extracted the medicinal properties afterwards uaed for 
tlw Ack, In those far-ofT times no brougham rolled lightly 
OTtf the TOada conveying phydclanfi to their patients ; many 
of the modem allcviationa of pain were then unknown, and 

' Itwu not QUtil % bundled &iid fiftrjekm aft«T M&Cild4^B d^iitVi Umt 
Dutet Che ■aliUm« pocU ^ho drtv hia ant brt«ih iu FJnr^ncv, iiDi^ari^d 
to has ■atir* Iod^« ** tbal grattdt^ur mad mnji^Blj " hy vhicL hu liu f'jr 
VTtr iKtficli«d it "Tlio UU4V)' Uni^u&cv u A[Hjketi with thr; jcrtatat 

C'flv bf Uio ediicai«d rl^iif fa Tqmaqj, &:ii1 4 prorerb deoi«ra th^ 
% lUQaa to b« the Iaagwm« <J Tujicanj with tho prot)an«i&tic& of 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



iia 



■uifmnug vitut bomo with a resignatioD and fortiLtttle 
w&fl martyr-like in it« int^Dsity. There wcra no publi 
boflpitBU for the reception of the dck, wba wvM'O gcDcr&Uy 
tended by thotr own friends or neighboora, ot placed undoc^] 
the care of rell^-ioua orders. Befttric« tuid UatUda nuide thft, 
dck poor bhcir CGpeci^ chnxgo. No disooMO w<>ro too ro>j 
poJ^vo for their loving ad uiiniat rations, no wounds 
gh&ntly for tho appliuatioii of their uar^e^J (tkUlj do hov«l loO:] 
tne&n for their gracious preBence. Theirs wrs the trufrj 
ch^ty wliieh not only relieved the vranta of the poor. but| 
inclod^ thftt pcreonal service and loving-kindneiss which 
«o vftlunble in the sight of God. 

AVhat happy anJ Ijii^^y days those v«r9. Days id whicfa 
every hour fulfilled lU mission, and which J]ed aU ttjotjuickiyt 
IcaviiLg their tender memories to be the solace of frftaE^| 
yeftre. 

The Church ha? udvtr entered the namos of Beatrice and 
H&tildn upon her list of aainte, hut so they appeared whoD 
th67 ontercd the humble dwclJiu^a, and with sweet solicitude 
dispoand their benefits to those iu need. 

So DDUch hxid th^e and similar duties absorbed the atten- 
tion of the prfnecfises that the ye&rs daw by, leuving thcoi 
insGitsible of the pAssiog of time and forgetful of their 
promLsod vibit to Koine. Probably even Uien the joumt 
would nob have been undertaken but for thn often e3LiLggBrate<&1 
rcporU wliich reaclioj them of tho halmviour of Hunry, 
Beatrice remembered that he was of hor own Ido, and she 
fedtred l^i bin rasbn&sa would not only taruiah his name with 
dUhoDOur, but also dmw upon him the wrath of the Cbai^fa, 
Again and again had ahe sent raeeaagcs of appeal to Alex- 
ftDder, beg^in^ him by moat earnest entrcatiea to stay for 
while the dennncialion of his eonduet, in the hope that yoi 
would bring somewhat of discretion to the wilful monarch. 

The princesses were received with every demon^trntion ol 
delight by the grateful Romans, who had not forgotten 



tedV 



Beatrice Pleads for Henry 

Borriccs rendered b; tlieee ladies in defencd of ihoit cAiy and 
of tJw Holy Bi^ 

TSme which hsA piiesed it« bani^fi lightly over th« j^ac^ 
fat form of BeatrSe^H li&d m&rle marked ohangeH In tho p«non 
of her ilttitightrr. Rhe hjwl Ifft her youth bo fat behind her, 
Llwt it w;m iHnirali to rboogiUHa ui tliv iKVutifuT woinnn 
before th«iii, the girl-heroine whose praiMw they vera nerer 
tirvJ ofdingUig' 

Alex&nder welcomed his fncnd?! with evident pleasure, 
aod heartfelt wa^ tbf! benediction he he^wed upon them as 
is loivly sfilutntioD they knelt at hie feet 

Bcottico had a petition to make to the Pontit!', and before 
the roeo from her humble ytoettire, ehe plondod with many 
t«u«ttLo eaoae of her nephew. She represented his youth 
and ill-Adviacd trnintng in ext^naaticn of his dieobddienco, 
ftod wax comforted by the smile with which the holy fntbor 
llflt«ii«d to her KQit, and by the wordy of hopeful fts^araiice 
with which he anawf^red her appeal. 

Matilda, who hnA riwn to her feet, ptood at a litde 
distanfvt fruiu the thi-ooe during her motht^r^e int^^rcessioti for 
H«»iry. She gUnced at the familiar features of tlie PodUIT, 
po oacrcd a memory of l\er childhood, atid could ncnrcely 
rMtnia a cry of dismoy as ithe noted the alteration which 
Uko ytMvi had made in him. So feeble and froiM'^oking had 
be become, that it appeared aa if he could acarcely mipporl 
tbo weight of hia ponti&cal veetments- 

But thciij^h hi* «trungth had diminlahed big iipiiit waa 
QDChangedr and though bi^ wearied bmin appealed in vain 
for r««t. the 4iven admin ii«trAt[on of eoeleaiasticftl Ifiw never 
wav^^rvd during his reign. 

The Countfisvt and her daughter were luueh edifi&d by the 
coonaehi of the Pontiff and even in that ahort space of time 
they eoald i>ot fail to be impreoaed by the ntojpiitiide of the 
oares which aorrouadfid the tiarA» 

A very pleMOnt mcadent concluded their vifiit Thid wa« 

109 



L 




so 

4 



MatiMa, Countess of Tuscany 

the coming to Rome oE no less a personnge than their world- 
renowned cnuntryTiian, Ihe celebraU'd Lftnfranc, Archbishop 
of Canterbuiy. 

Alexftnier was overjoyed at seeiDg hia former tuLor ttft 
the laprse oF ao ciony years, and riiiiug from \iia throoe ha- 
advanced to meet the primnte with ev&ry murk of deferejitiftl 
r^pect. In oDswer to the ]ooka of eurpriae with which so 
unuaual ^n iict of coDdodceuaicii was re^rdod, evnn by tho; 
pnncoeacs, the I'ontifF remarked, '*It wm not because be 
primatQ oE Eogliuid that I nae to honour him, bab because 
waa his paptl at Bee, and I then sot at his fedt and liateiu 
to hia itialmcUon,"^ 

Alas I the reign of Alexander, which hod lasted for Dearly 
twelve ydars, was now drawing to lU end. Already the evea 
of the Catholic world were turning with *iagsr nnUcipatioQ 
to hia adyi^iir and friecid, Hildebrand, bs the future PontiS 
*' He who h^d been the mainspriug and director of 6vo 
BUDceaBive Popee. had no need to rely upan the patronage of 
King or Emperor toftpcure hie election to the papal chair.' 
" Hid irreproachable life and nioraW ccntinuet^ a FrotcstanI 
Idstorian, *' rendered bim uttiverpally venertktcd." 

Toward* the close of hia reign, news was brought 
AJexaudor of the illoeBH of Cadalous, and of hiB d^re for 
nooDciliation with the Church, 

With choract eristic gdneroaity, the sick Pontiff, instead of 
sending a message of forgivei^ess to the penitent, caused him- 
self to \ye carrieii to the betl&ide of the anti-pope. It WftA^ 
nothii^g to Alexander tiiat before him lay the man who bod^l 
snughlptoiif^urphia throne. He a^w only a broken-spirited son, 
in need of tender words of pity and of bleaaing, and with these 
ha soothed the grieved and contrite mol of the dying preUi 

Cadalous was touched lo the heart by the kindness oni 
evident Eocbkncos of the raan he hud injured. Id an agoujj 

' Li4€rary ffUlcry of the MuidU Aq^a. J. BcrrifiiftorL, 1$46. 
1 L«o IX., Victor H., 6topbt<D IX, Nicboloo 11., AUiwdflr IL 

I to 



I 



Death of Alexander II 



cC nnom be begged forgiv«oeag for his pvc^ nmption in e^ek- 
ingtbtpftp^ throne, sayiDgj *' Youu-eth^ Umverotd Sh^phei-cl 
of the Chtm;h of God." 

From the bedaiOe of Cadalous the Pontiff WM conveyed hy 
easy stages to Tascany He wJMbed to J* once ngRin in his 
tt^mnr diocese^ Aud to rent liia nching eyee by g&xmg npon 
the beaiitio?( with which Lucca IiikI heen hy nntiiri* ao freely 
i>nnclicd, Ilifl ilockn with that afiectionate ardour for which 
fche Italianfi Are noted, came onb id crowds to meet him, and 
in rcfvpec-tful ailencti knelt hy the roftdstde aa his emaciJkted 
foriQ waa homo through their midst 

It wod with a pleasure akxD to saduoBS that Beatrice and 
Matilda wclcomor] thfiir Bishop nnd Sovertign Pontiff to tUe 
mar^^uiaattt io which he had labour&d for bo many y^j^n. 
They brought their medicat ekUl to bear upon hiro, and 
Bought by every remedy that science or alTection could sug- 
gest, to ftlleviatf> t!t« suOeriogs whitrh he endtired without 
mnnnuror coTn{dalDt> and from which for a time he seemed 
to rally 

HiH la^t public funotioD was the dedication to St MarLin 
of the Itomonosquc cathedral which he had built, and which 
etill bcarA witucaa to Kb pitty and Hberatity. But Alexander 
hftd drawn too much upon hta revived cncrgie«, and scarcely 
waa the oeromony ondod than, overcome ^lith fatigue and 
wcakncoe, bo waa conveyed to the bod from which he never 
roseu 

He lingonfd for »ome time ere he was relented from the 
paina which he bore with the courage of a martyr. His aick 
chamber was visiteti each day by persons of all ranks. He 
did not refuse to give nudif^nco U) the poorest of the pt*esanta 
who begged for the hlesMng of their " dtiar Bishop " who }vu\ 
come to breathe out bis Inet sigh amouget them. When hie 
failing strength permitted, he b«ld aweet ccnverae with the 
pdneenea^ and the words of counsei of waroiDg, and of 
oocouragtimont which fell from hid Ups, remained indelibly 

III 




3 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

fixed in )Ull]d&'& memory, and were & comlort to b^ is many 
an hour af tria-L 

Aluxitudt-r'K fast hours, unliki^ thtwe of hia pre-leccssorN, 
warfl niitrrjubled hy Any ftuxiety us bo the fatlire of th» 
papftcy. UiMuLmad, in whuae Ability and zeal he hiul ftill 
fftttb. would undoubtedly be chorea to eucc«ed. By hi^ 
iiwtruractitaHty tha dying Pontiff wu u«urcd the Otiurch 
wuuld occupy tliat umque position in the world to wbkh her 
Divino iiintLtutJoQ L^otilled her. Alexander, whose own 
eluotion waj the be^nmng of Uiie em of reli^on* freotjom, 
pofiaed nwfty during hit sleep on 21at April 1073. h 

With weeping eyes Beatrice and Matildii took a last farO^ 
well of Uieir friend and eaanH^llor, kh he lay in the calm nluep 
of dciH-thj with a flitiile atill hovering round his scarc^l 
dwH^ hp4. 

As HOoa aa tidings of the Pope's death reached Roi 
Hildehrand, with the eonseut of hia eccleKijktbir-al hrethreo' 
gaTe orders for a fast of three days to be observed during Uio 
time "that the last bonoura should be paid to the body 
wherein eiico dwelt Anaolm of Luceo." 

Alcxiiuder'a body was eonveyed to Rome for bariahond 
the pmcefisefi accompAuied his retnaine to St John Lat^raii, 
where ho was to ha interred, and ia which eharch bo 
filled a CaDcn'e stfill 

A eeletun procession of great length was formed, coi 
prising Cardinata^ prelato^^ priests, heads nf monastic hoilW6, 
nobles, and priuces, a.ai\ repreauntatives from the cni 
EuropOi that of Gennany excepted. 

Headed by Uildchrand, before whom woo home 
emblem of our salvation, they went forth to receire 
remaiuA of their late Sovereifrn PontiC 

It was natural that tbe faitbful shnuld in thmreorrew" 
look to Hildebrand to oasiiiao control during the interregnum. 
It wa6 olao natural that he who had been the rij^ht hand of 
thftChareh should become tho principal authority at eueh a 
tJtna He held eonftult&tioD with hia feUow-Cardinals 

tit 



usee, 
ne the 

*1i 




" Hildebrand for Pope " 

decide what &ctioD to ta^be, and th«y wer^ only too mtling to 
renga th« dintctioD of evunlti to no cnpnblo n Leader 

It WDA Hildebrftud upon whom all AttpeDtton wna riv«t«d, 
and wbiuH! iiiDvi-ititfuU wuna iiuU-d with kntsn intnrent, lU he 
MporgT.'d or apnukled with holy water bbv body of hiH fmud 
AS it Uy in the choir, 

Afl ho moootod tbo put^t stairs, he wu foUowfld l^ tho 
gwM3 of tho multitude, who, on if by tnagic, seemed SQddvoly 
to forget the puirpoao for which they w^re aesetnblwL Thoy 
were oblirious of all, aav6 thrit bcforo them stood tho tnoet 
iUustrkmfi orator of thtt day, and in their desire Dot to looo « 
word of hia diHCCDTse, tbe3' crowded dosely round tho ''cbiitr 
of truth,'* 

But their eii^actatiou of heitip; held entnnc^ ItiUmcrM to 
the CHmJnii,lV uMinl flow of clcx^amice wn« doomed to diA- 
appointniRtiL Bin loving henrt v/ns full of Lbe lofu which 
the Church And hii&self had just (^ufltftiuedi Tears of aoiTow 
cooncd down hia tliin checi^ks, &□<! hia Dtt«rance wan broken 
by Bobs, a5. in a few moving words, be tc&tified to the merite 
of the dcpiLrt«d i^onLiff 

Saddonly the fitillneea of the crowd was broken by a 
voice saying— " Hildohrand for Pope ! HJldybrand for Popct 
8b Peter has choeen him 1 *' In vain tbe pr<^acher rjusod bis 
hand to cnforoo mJunco. For onoe hia authority waa un- 
haeded, and thd cry, takeo op by ^e conf^re^^ation. epr«ad 
rapidly throngbont tho whole city. Except for the namei, 
thoy were tbe same worda that had rent the air jnst a 
<|oarter of a etfntury batore, wb^u Leo IX. haJ ent^-^red 
BoDi« aa a pilgrim with no other coinptioion than Ililde- 
brand. 

The funeral ceremoniee over, trhe CoidinAls retired (o 
make tlieir sclcctioo of a sacccwor to the thront?. Their 
decision In favour of Hildobrand waa nnAnitnous, the only 
dMaatJeDt vote being that of the Pope elect. 

lie WAA at this time, 1073, i^ixty yearn of a^ and hia 
oomewhat austere countomtnee indicated that be would ba 



1.^ 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



nospftrlDf; m his ineasuree to rid Uie Church ol the burd«iui 
that had huirii1iai«cl her b3 long, "llier^ was greftt neGd," 
reinarknOhurton," that there should be Bomeane who^ like him, 
should proelrtim himself tb? assertor of Justice, the roformer 
of moruls, and restorer of religion." 

Hildebrand who, like his predfyceesor, had been elected 
mdepeadent of imperial support, hastened to notify tlie 
Oemuvii Court of whfit had occurred. Honry. who appeara 
to have yielded bo the popular entbusiaana, caade no Rign tbab 
he disapproved of the choice, aud even sent the Biebop ol 
VercelH to bo hie ropresciitaUvo at the coronation. This was 
tile more remjLrkable, because Hildebrand bad froqneotly 
warned the monaroh that were he Pope, hia first care would 
be to punish hitn for his corrupt practices and immoral life. 

Beforo being crowned Hildebrand, who wa^ only s 
Jcacon, though a Cardinal, had first to be ordained priest, 
and afterwards to he (rein see rate J Bishop lu the Baailion of 
the Lat'3rAn. Thitu is pntUihly t\w. only iiistaoce on record, 
IQ which the dual ceremony wari then ncceanary to render 
tho cousecratioB of ft PontilT ft valid act*' 

Aa bo uater«d Si Peter's, HiUcbrand waa met by a clone 
who, according to the custom observed at the coroDatio» of 
Sovereign Pontifra, carriod in hia hand a reed surmounted by 
flax. This bein^ set on hre, flashed up for a moment with a 
braghtnoss that rivalled the June sun* and then didd suddenly 
away into uttsr blackness duric^' the solemn chanting of the 
monka. "No need had Hildebraod/' truly remarks the 
learned hiatorian/" to be reminded of the pasBing away of 
temporal gtory." No ambitious spirit was he to nevd the 
leaaun thus conveyed in this symVil vi unniiduring fame:. TIm 
imprea&ively intoned words — *' Pater sancte sic traniit gjorift 
mnndi " (" Holy Father, thus pae«eth away the world aglory "), 
brought him comfort instead oE warning, t>A verifying the 

■ *' He vt the iirst Pope trho, bciof: oolr ft dcHoa, va« Ihen 
pri™t" ZiV« of (hu P^pci. Itt*ferca<*e ta Fleerj iv., p&^ 406. 
' Ij%bt ilon. Sir Jua«b Stcphnjs. 



Coronation of Hildebrand 



worda of the Fsalroist — *' A bmiaed reed sbftll He not br«tLk, 
mad tbe Hmolciog flat giiall Hd not ijubiK-h.'* 

Hildebrand, IfO use lii&Cbnattou D^mo for the Usb time, 
waa rrawntfd tbe ncTt da/* 29tL June, taking tbe Litlt; of 
Gregory VII. Tbie was id memory of JoLd Oraliati, Gregory 
VL, vbo had been bis director, and whom be much reTored. 

1b the spriDg of the following yenr Gregorj- VIL, in a 
letter to Wiliiaro the CoD(|uoron u^ijbins hb positioti juid Utc 
dACgtn AQiTOiiDciiiig the pontifical throne, which rendered 
the tiara o. crowu of thoroe. 

To Willi&m. King oF the English, 1074. 

From your joy at the certain report of oar promotion, w« 
iU]cIoi]bt«<lly believe th&t yen adhere in your heart to your 
MotUi>r, the Holy Hopiao CUorch, and thftt you lovii her a^ 
you ought to do with all yoar etrtrngtb. You exhibit the 
ftficctioa of a good eon, the nf!ectioo of A soti who in hin heart 
lovee hi* naother. We admooi^h yoa to prefer the honov of 
G^p and mU the things which arc of God, to your own things 
4ad to all worldly things, since undoubtedly it is the neglect 
of this alone which in wont to ruin potentaten oE your dignity 
mu6 thrust them into belL 

But our condition, wbieh you aupplianily desire to know, 
ifl AA follows: Unwillingly we cmhark in the ship which ift 
lUiceriaiuly lowed about in ttie ntomiy nea, by the violence 
of the WAvejv, aud by the impulse of tbo wbirlpooln and by 
the wavea rinliLg op to the skiea amid bidden roeks. . . . 

For the Drily Botcan Church, o»cr which we, unworthy 
Aod imwilUug to do so, preside, U contiuuallj aud daily 
•hakcQ by diDerent temporal powers, and by very mauy pcr- 
AMutions of hypocriteB, and by the anarea and deceitful 
obJMtiona of heretics, and ib, both oecretly ocd opculy. toro 
aaonder by worldly pot«ntatd». 

To encounter all thette tbingi and at f or ai pof4ible to 
provide against them and many other evils, chiefly appertaina 
to our office and care. We are day and night fretted by th% 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

care of these things. We arc cnnttDUfLlly torn by these ftcd 
tilce mattsm. A,ittiuug1i in the efiUem of the sons oi the worl 
tbf^te thingn m»y ^eem to smile upon us. 

Qireu At Borne the aecimi] day of the Nonea 
April' 

In 0. letter to Hu^, Abbot of Clnny, Grtf^ory opeoa Httt'' 
h6Ckrt to biu friend, aiiil "oue cannot full to be toncbod/* re* 
marks the historian, '^ with tho v«in of sadnoas &ad hamUi^A 
which rone tbroaghout tho tpistle," "Would thot I coaM 
msike known to you/' he B&ya, " the foil ert«nt of the tribu- 
Utions which assail me, &nd of the Iftboois incoasantly r#H 
newed which overwhefm me and crash me beneath their 
daily inore&aing weighs Many a time have 1 »«ked onr 
Divina Snviour to remove me frcni thiK worlil or to permit 
me to become? tiHetiil to our i!ommon Mother. An un*fpeak- 
able pain And niclaTJcholy scikc nie aa I l>eho1d the Raeiberq^ 
Ghiirch which tho apint of darkness has separated from th^| 
Catholic Faith. Lof>king to the West, to the South and bo 
tlio North, I can only discern a fow Biahcpe who have cntcr«d^ 
the Epi&oopacy by c&nonioal ways, and who govern thci^^ 
dock in a spirit of charily And not with the despotic prido of 
the powers of the earth. Among the secular pnnces I know 
none who prefers thu glory of God to bia owa glory ftxid 
justice to self-interest. As for those amoDg whom I Wve^ the 
Romaoa, Lombards anci Normann, T often tell Lht^m that they 
are worse than Jews and Pagans. When at tcEgth I r«veri 
to tnyaelf, I llud myself 90 overwhelmed benrnth th« weight 
of my own actioua* that J see no hope of aalvatioii, save only^^ 
in the mercy of Christ, for if 1 had not the hope of a betteip^l 
life and tho prospect of being usefnl to the Chtirch, Qod 
knoweth that I would no longer abide in Rome, where I feel 
myself as thoQgh in chains. It ia thus that divided betwoon 
A grief doily renewed within me and a hope, alftnl only 



ii6 



TranftUud 



Death of Godfrey 



dislAtJt, I H.U1 a88all«E by a thousand U<iii|><4btAatid my life ie 
but ntis coDtlnuul nguny."' 

While Qi^gory throngb hia letters penoitted the Uity a 
gliinp!!c of the iDAuy diiliculties vrhicti besot the life o£ a 
Pontiff, his friends in U'udcany were cot free frc»m trcablo. 
About this time (1074), Beatrice lost her hunbruid wbcHO woo- 
ioi;, though aomcvhat UDCorcsDODioos in its luitore, bod led to 
oeariy twenty years of not unbnppy iuarri<fd life. He had 
allowed hie wife, a tnoet unueual conoessioD in tho»e days, 
nndivided authority over her prtjperty, nnd proved hicoaelf 
in every WAy so kind and considerate a consort, that HeAtrioe 
felt hie loss more keenly than ebe would have diieiued It 
poesible^ VTb does not appear to have tfiken part in any 
public afTaira since his defeat of the itupertal Iroopii ciirly 
in the reign of the late Pope. Probably he folb that tbo 
Avowal of hU politicrd opinione would givp pain to hip* wife, 
whOM grace and nobility of charact^ir lad him to regard hor 
with feelings rif respect that were almoat revt-rentiaL Hod 
DOt the Kmpre«« restored hi» duchy to Uodfroy th« Yoimgor, 
it is ytty probable that h<t would, aided by man And taoh^y 
from Beatrice, havd attempted to regain his patrimony, but 
ttnddr the cireumstancefs, be coald not wrest it from hia own 
eon. In spit« of the reiterated requests of Le BosKn, the ban 
of exile had not been repenJed, either by Agiie* or by Henfy. 
who now h*ld tbe r^-ins of govemmenL Bat althnugh he 
wan not ollownl U) return to his own country, his sympulhlea, 
Uke thoee of his son, were with the Oennan inteTestfi, which 
wen; diamotricAlly op|]oftcd to ihom of Italy. 

At the commencement of bis malady. Beatrice hod gone 
with bim to Verdon, in the hopea that hia native air would 
reetore bim to health. Ifut it was too late, and after a short 
ilboes he ^^nielly passed away, fortified by the hut eoosol^ 
tions of the Church, ""in ndntiments of high piety/' Wo 
leani that from the moment he arrived in Qermany he f;av^ 



> SfllMtic^nof the leti^%^ AiUtfAnsMf-GraipM^ Vir 
G. FiAoh. LoadoQ, 18^3. 

"7 



TrukiJftUd%7 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



htmse^f u|> to the care of ilie poor, by whom he was crm< 
strftntly aurruunded ant) lie would only admit to Uia table 
thoae whose poverty wouJd b*ve deprived them of & mea)< 
He woa buried in the cathedral, which he bad formerlj' Mt 
OQ fire, an act for which he ondcavoured to make ameuda fcijr^ 
performing va.rioDs acta of oharity. ^M 

Tho two princo93oa, thus left atoDO to combnt wi^h tho 
difflciiltion of their position, conceived the idea of retuiug t^ 
f^thar into a oonvent. Only there wonid they bo freod 
from the dS«U-iieticus aitd anxieties which were Jnaeparahle 
from th&r public life- It was even mfire dIfTicult inmediffival^ 
tiinGB for womed of hig}i diAgrHe to follow s rale of aeLf^| 
discipUne than it 18 at the present day. Ouiy in the convent 
were they sheltered from the temptJhtiona by wbtcb the 
world daily weakened their reeolntions and capped their 
apiritual life. ^ 

After much deliberation Beatrice iind Uatilda wrobo bO 
acquaint the Foniitf with thoir desire and to u.alc hia advice 
upon tho subjoot. Gregory was, however, onablo bo eond » 
reply to thoir letter, or even to be made aaqxiaintdd with iU 
contents. 9e waa at the timd so prostrated by hig davoUon 
to his ODvrotis duties, that it was doubtful whether he would 
recover. Hig naturally ntroufj constitution, however, enabled 
hiiD to rally from an Attack which would hav« killed moat 
OQto, HiB first thought on arnving at a atato of coiiviil(fl^| 
cenoa waebo write to the widowed Couutn'sa and her da,\i^'htor. 
He diasuaded them froui the serious step tb^^y c^iiutem plated, 
urging aa a reoisoii the immenae amount of good iheirexamplo 
of virtue would effect in so licentious nn agr. '' lnat4;ad of 
banishing God from your paUco as many priucoa do, He la 
invited thith^ by the odour of your holtacQe. We thercforo 
exhort you, dear children, to porsevure in the path of per- 
foction." " Know yo to^/' he oootinucd, " thtt w« have jue t^ 
escaped from bodily sickness, cuntrarj* to the expoctation offl 
those around us, and that we hnv» rt^covcrrcd our h<!Alth, 
which aeema to ua matter for sorrow rather than joy. For 



L 




Policy of Gregory 



mr cnra soul a«pircd with M its fitr«Qgth for that l^iid wb«ra 
Ue who knows our toils and fvoirows ^ves peace and rent to 
Ih4> weary,'' 

AmoDg ihe trials wbiuh beseit the PontifTat this tima was 
tfa« conduct of tho GermaD eoverGign, Th6 waniinff which 
on his accession Gregory had seat to the King, that he wctiM 
place ft restrictioD U|>on his excesses, had long heen forgotten 
hj th« h««<lless Tnonareh. Trustdngto weaii him hy » gentle 
firmaew Fnurn the vicioas coursciH which were a AcanOal to 
lli«f CliHstian world, the Pope hiwl, from the commencement of 
his rtign, adopted towards him a conciliatory pobcy. This 
iine-\pacted tcndem^sa iknd leuieucy drew from Henry, who 
watj not yet wholly depfftvod, n letter, the tone of which woa 
not oniy friondly but even anbmiasiro. 

In the joy of hi3 hv^art at th\ti rcajiontv, to his OTortQrc€i 
Gregory Bent to appriac his fricnOfi iu Tuscany that the King 
hod wntt«D to implore his cldmeocy and to assure the Holy 
Father of bia r«pent4ine& " Learu,'" eontiuues the happy 
Pope, '^that the King Henry han just arJdresHed to us ft letter^ 
fall of humility and clx^lience, aach oa we do not remember 
ho ntir his pradeceisont have ever ^vriLten to Roman Pf>ntif]k" 
*But." oa the hiatorian nwvnly i>-mjhrks, "the language of 
Henry wiut oa vanahlr as hi^ conduct," and the siclc-bed of 
Gregory had been ti^ubled by ninioura. which reached htm of 
the monarah'rt rclnpcte into the fcllicB of his youtb. It) a 
later lottcr oddrOBBod to tho princcBBce. the Pope espresoed 
himself fail of grief for tho waywordncBs of the King, though 
he tmeted much to the pioas intiuence of the gentle Qae<<u 
Bertha to retitraio him in the wild career upon which he hod 
4nter«d. 

''We will," oaya Gregory, in conclusion, "send to him 
ftonui wiiw pereons whrt will give him wholesome advici!, nod 
SK-hurt him bo return U> his doty. Adieu then, dear ehildren 
in Jesus Christ, and be oasured that we hold you in the depth 
of oar liAort.^ 

It WAS time indeed for interference on the part of those 

115 



) 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

who dMiny! to mva Um Eiof? from utter rmo. While 
^rroganc^ had woonded the pnd« of hU noblcai, bin HaorlI«gii 
Mnd iiDtiiomI litis hod jilicnat**)) thoaa of his sabjcctv who 
wttTR pioU8 fuid virtuous. "Tlk» diHlikn wiLli iirbich tiazons 
w«re vittwud by thu iii<*iiurcli isru li^u^ became oa unbcikrabld 
W thorn M hia licenlioiu hftbitis which wcrev wiUi reMon. 
»c&Qd&l JLud A nlmnjQ Ui tbc whijlo empire." Uo gavo fi 
n^ul U> hifl vices, '* and," conttnucs tlio historian, " appeared 
|»iblio with bin lai-itroMtcii fuloraod with f^oM and jowol 
taken rr^^tn the sAcrcd vodscis of the Church." 

Th« oouditiou ol thv BiehopH B.Qd clergy who would iii 
lend Uiomnelveg to simoDiacal practices wju lad in tt 
extreme. Their lett^ra lo Grdffory o£ the exiwtiotifl mnda 
U[MPii tlieir rcveiiuea to eopply the means for the monarch'a 
GxiTAvaganoti were "fre<]ueiitN.nd full." To nuch ati extonb 
waa eimuny citrried on, that "ecH,rcBly " wo are infori 
"had a wngle etioleiiiastical dignity heoa cooTBrred by 
imperial crown gratoitooaly," The loity themeelvea ref» 
the prieatty offices of thane whom they knew to have obtained 
their position by nacaDOaical waya. Children were baptise dL^ 
by their parents in their own homc.s> and when rocmbora O^H 
the IcuDily were atrickcu by illuosa^ they refused the 
cainistratjona of eimoniacal priests^ and went to thoir gravea^ 
ancoQsoled by tht> last ritos of tho Chureh^^ ^ 

The repeated acts of violence, and the deliberate infraction 
of the rights of the Holy See, of which Henry had been guilty, 
would long eince have drawn upon him tha wrath of the 
ChoTch, bad it not been for the prayers o? hi ^ relatives in 
Italy. Beatrice and Matilda were eonatanUy interceding oqj 
hia behalf, and the EmpreMs from her conventual retreat agaii 
and again pleaded For her wayward sgu. With his he: 
yearning over the erring King, Gregory resolved to make a 
last appeal to his better nature. Ha wrote, exhorting him to 
desist from his evil courBoa, which could only end in 
ruin, spiritual and temporal : to endeavour to command 

< Sittar^ o/ftfUian Rt^blie*, J. C Slamocdi t6&£^ 



EtenD 
Fiisod| 



aiqH 




Gregory and the Crusades 

al>i«3i<-iic^n of hie soHj^d^^ by his virttif»B. rftth*.r than hJK victn 
and to allow io Uie CUuruli tbjit (lef*?reacB sji© aK|)eel« from 
oae who profcwcH licr fiiiUi. "It iw iLt the prayur of the 
AQglut Etn|)r«aa, your mother/' couUTm** Uw PoutJtf, "but, 
ftbovo oJ], at the advice of Beatrice And Matilda, th&t Wi: write 
to you." 

Witb the view of firing the cionarch with rol^ious 
oj^thubiaem, and of withdrawing him for a time froco Iho 
tempt&lioua of hin Court, GrBCory suj^^i^stcd to him tbi> idea 
of th« occQpAtioD of JeniE&ii^m by a Chriati&D army. Ho 
fnroiahed him with details of lite biLrbiriti^iA iuRicted upOD 
pilgriimg to Palestine, &nd osHured bim that troops were 
ready u> luarch to miv^ the holy plore^ from dtweerfitiorL 

"I t«II you," wrote the Pontiff;" that theChriflti«ifl Wyond 
thf? aeft, por8eou6»l by iho heatbi^o, oiid oppresseil by :iLipieriea. 
have ecnt to m^. hambly praying me to do the beet I con to 
saccoiu tbcm, and to prevent amongst tbtia the entiic min of 
Ifao ChrinUtut rt'ligiou, 

'* 1 am proetrAted with JMvdnc&'s bt^cAucc of bhat« and Am 
ready to dic^ 1 am roody to ospoae my life for them, rather 
than they sbciuld not be Auccourcd. 

" It ie Eor ihU rooeon 1 work to exhort all Christianfl, and 
penuade them to i^VG their lives tor the brethrea and to 
ehovr as eloar as day of what the chitdren of God aro 
capable in dufendin^ tbc^aw of Christ. 

" Already tho Italians and those beyornS the mountaina^ 
inapirad by Heaven as I believe, have receivi^d my eiborta- 
Homs in guod eitruivit. Already more tbttD fifty thouKand 
faithful are preparJDg for that cnteqtriso and under my 
command to martb forward againat the enendea of Ood and 
U> penetrate oa far aj« tU^ sepulchre of our Lord. 

*■ What excitea mo moat powurf uily ia that the UhowA of 
Coofltantinoplo acparatcd from as, the Armcmiann alao^ and 
the KreaterT part of the Eorttora Church, while waiting for the 
faith of the Apostle Peter to decide bolwefin tiie diverse 
oratds, ar« on our aide. 

131 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



1 



"Our fathers oftea vUitwl these countries for tbt* tritJTa] 
of the Catholic faith. We slimild, however unwortJiily, 
follow tu their footetepe, and it is our duty to acl ae tb^^H 
acted &Dd to march to th^ defecco of the eamc religion. ^ 

'* But so grettb etc «aterpri3Q is worthy of eenouB counsels 
and powcrEnI nid, o.nd it is to you, after God, that I will 
confide tho defence of the Rouaa Church in order thatyoftH 
may f^o^rd it na a holy mother And preserve iti hooonr. ^| 

" Let me know aa soon as poseible what yoQ think of this 
prospect, and mny the iiiBpiration of heaven aid you in y 
decision." * 

But Henry was fu* too aelf-indulgent to grup 
tmprtrtniice of a inoveinent which, had he been En command, 
would Imvfi opened up the Kniil to Getmnny for cxploriL^ion 
aod commerce and cainected hia own authority by eloaer 
reliLtlouH with the heads of Europertn Courts. lie had both 
the courage and ability for the t^uk. and it waa one of th« 
many miatakee of bia life that, giving; himself up to pcraonal 
gratiScaiion, ho let this oppoi'tuoity of liavin;; hiB naind 
oarollcd among the heroes of chivalry tilip by unhi^cdcd. 

Tears later, when Qr&gory had pussed away and Henry'a 
sun waa setting in igacmiuy and diagraco, the glory of the 
victory fell to one of his own knights. 

Though the Pontiff was, as Cardinal Newman has remarked, 
"engaged in one of the aeverwitoraflicts which Pope haa evar 
i^usLaiued, not only again^'st the secular power, but against iNtd 
Biahopa and priests* yet at a time when his very life was not 
hiA own, and present reApuufli bill ties so urged him that orne 
would fancy be had no time for other thoaght, Gregory was 
able to turn bia mind to the considerabion of a contingoni 
danger in the almc^t fabutons East/" " There wae odc»" con- 
tinuee tho Cardinal, '* Uie divindy-appointed Shepherd of the 
poor of Christ, the anxious Steward of His Church, who. from 
his high and ancient watch-tower in the fuloess of apostolic 
charity, surveyed narrtiwly what wan going on thousands 



L 



clerical Celibacy 



lailce from bim, and vnih prophotic 070 looked into the futuro 
o^ ; and acojtiel^ bad Uia»t ciidmy who wilb in tho tvont 80 
hettvily to etnite the Cbrifitmo worlds abown himself, when 
be g*7e waraiQg of thd d^agor, and prepared biioBelf, vnih 
noftsunfl for Averting^ it."^ 

Gregory, who&e vigour seemed to bo iiieibaiiatib]«. was 
moflt jusidaona ifi tbe psrFarmBDce of tbe many antl variftuii 
dQtien purtalniQg to his bigb ofBL*e, lu the apace of two 
ywitirtk be ha^ (X)Dvoked do feB» than seven CouiiciJh, in riiicb of 
wbicbbt^iiltactted in noHparin^mt-afiure tbe abii£6B of the day. 

There wm odo reform wbicb, on bis ftccesaion to tb« papjil 
throne. Gregory had attmly iubecided to carry into effect. 
That was the supprt^sflioD of the heresy of tbo Nicbolaitqa, a 
name given to thoee who advocated marriaii;o amonf; tho clor|^- 

The reaecnB for dorical celibacy arc both obvious oaid 
lof^eal for« aa St Paul remarks, 'He that ifi unmarried 
earotb for tha things that belong to the Lord how be may 
please the Lord, But be that is married careth for tbe things 
thai are of tbe world, bow he may please bia wifen" ' *' Now," 
remavlcB a C^thollo Bishop, " tlie Churcb will have no divided 
bearU amoog ber BUhops and priests, and will therefore 
accept the minidtrationa of thoeo only who take a row of 
celibaey,'* The work of tbe priesthoud U cb«-utially tbat of 
m mianonary, and the unmarried cleric cnxi, om a Protestant 
prelate justly observeo,*' be expcditioualy and readily removed 
from plttcv Ui pLacLv Ho haa no intorcotn but thor;e of tbe 
Cbnceh and tbe Cbnreh'a Head ; has no temptation in 
baapfasg op Hohi'S, and rone to form worldly schemes and seek 
worldly intereat^e i^r the advancement of bia family." 

In a Council held at Rome in tbe same year (1074), it 
wim ditermined that "(1) no clerk should take » wife ; (2) 
that Uuly Ordtra aboald be conferred on ancb only act would 
pcofcn peipetnal celibacy : and (3) that no married man 
abould o0er U[) Mass." 

* 3iM»>Mi Shx<JM. J. e. Nflwman, vol. L 

* I Cor- TiL 2i. Sua« rvftreit«B m Cttboliv md ProtMUol senior*. 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Tbia aii|;bl ut drat tiij^ht appeur to be ralti&r a, 
procc^duro, and ono Ihst would boAt hoavily U{x>d 
prleata and their wivea who bad oat^red ioto matrimomal 
aUiULMft But the la^irc ptt«««>d Ijj preooding Pontiflejbad 
almdy forbiddoD wliat was dow ooademn^, ftnd the iuiMr, 
KtupH brougbt upoD thoau wUi> bad brokfin ihn rule W4 
tho§e of tbeir own MBking. 



■M 



Lay Investiture 



CHAPTER VI 

" Thft pMaionar* will, the prid^, thv vrfttlit 

And Uitcd mc en my njnd career.' — TfifOottUn Leg^i^. 

Ik Lent of tb« following year (1075), Oregorj convoked a 
CoUDci], ftt which the vexed i^Qcation of iDTcatiturct) wa» 
Again brought forward and disc^iased. 

Tbo ctietom Ln4 ^odujUly bucn oMUtnod by E^iropooji 
ni1«rs of ^Trng mvaatitnr^ by the nof; And crosier whioh 
flOltftJtct^d the iniii^iA of thm Binhop'it nacr^d offico. This 
oVronkooy, &a blstoriaiu remiod db, impHed, and often w&a in 
tMStt the delivery of Lbe HQtbority of thb Cbnrch intotho 
btuida of the Civil power.' The tnuiAfrmtco of thrJ«o jiynibo1t« 
to tlw King on tb« d^tti <]£ a praLate, enabled biiu to cfinf«r 
tJieiD upon Aoy pcrvon whom he «bould cbooao. with or 
without ref«rtnce to the PodUB^, tho visible Hood of the 
Church- It woe thie encroAcbmcDt upon ocolefliaelical rigbte 
which Grvf^ry wished to check. 

Th^ practice, beeidos openin;; thd way to etmony and 
nuny other abutCA ct tho time, aJao favoured the placing in 
beiwfloes ftnd abbeys relatively atid partizana who w«r« 
totally nnfit for thetr <?fllfw. Th^ blow tliua aimed agfltDi^t 
lay investitures *' 8tnick at thir root,'* saya the historian, " of 
ti>eir pcnfonal importance. Since eooWia&tical prnfonnents were 
tiMully bestowed as oppanagos on the younger aotiH of 
Uliutrions hoiwoa."' '"Under cover of tbin usurpation, the 
landa of a church were lot for tho boncljt of the Orown^ to 

>*11ie %trt€Vtiip^ cajB llQiDt, " hibd id natlty thv lol* i>ew<r of 
appolcting preUtoL" 

■ HumfhM Pivmrn of 6W JUddi* ^^m. 



I 



Madlda, Countess of Tuscany 

Apecal&tors wha cud&Hvouret] to extort &!! that they 
got from the impoverisLed teaanti, The oviU of auch 
miquibotts ayatcm may eftfiily be conoeivod, Tho property 
thnt WAS "nginnl!y beetowcd for the purpose of promoting 
piety and religion, was made a eursc inatead qI a bkssiiijr,"i 
" For the Church which esirly Chrtati&n pri&ces had eheriBhad 
arid protected, now treated gs a captive or slave, [waf] pillaged 
atid Bpoiled or turned to a means ol provision for worthlen 
riLVouritee who wjigted in thonghtleas luxury the portion pven 
them for the service of God," ' 

Gregory bupud to put aa end to Qxie BoandaJoufi flitile dt 
afikira by the exercise of free voting and by riTMrrving tha 
right of canonical clectioti of Bishopa and Abbota eicluaively 
to the Chaptcra. At the Bamc time, the Pontiff did not 
intend that prelates receiving authority from tho Church 
should Bet at naught that of the Sovereigns in whoflO 
countriee the Bishoprics were Qituated. Nor was it hie in- 
tention thut they should be exempt from being held re£poD- 
$ible for any infraetion of State laws. The claim was aimple 
aud decisive, and set forth that no investitures should be 
made except ut the handn of the r^gning Pontifr. It was 
farther agraed thai ** whoever had received, iu considaratfoo 
of any present, any grade or odSce of Holy Orders could no 
longer exercise his ministry, and that all those who received 
from laymen the iiiveatitare of a church should h» flj 
oxcommDnicated as well aa the lay donors." '' Who coold ^ 
pTCBUmo, 'remarks an authority on ccclesi&flticaJ law, "to 
plaoe the aoeptre on e. Icvol with the crosier: tho oncUi^ 
OonquoBt of human pride, the other, the ^ft of Divine m«ej. 
The one conducing to the vain glories of earth, and the other 
pointing the way to Heaven? As gold aurpMses leftd, flO 
does the Episcopal transoend the Imperial dignity." • 

1 Ckvnk Sistofy. MaHincaa. 

■ Snay* on S/^MW^tiaU Biogrofhy. Btgbt H«fli, Sir Ji 
St«f>boD> 

IS6 



■ 
■ 



Simony 



An toon Aa the Oouncil was ended, the Pontiff eent off 
copM of the decretB to Henry, iEitimatiiig tliAt as they would 
oomc into operaLioQ at once, it WM as wcU that he ehould he 
mode acquainted with their import irithoui loss of time. In ft 
letter by which they wimx! acrcomp^intod, Qngory tksaxircd 
bitn of hia detenniUAlion to carry out thd projected refonna 
at all risks. H« retniud^d tbo men &rch/' that when ho waa 
appointed to the odminUt ration of rdigious bouses, he had 
mrtored onlur iind re^Tularity in th^m. and cow that ho wa* 
elected Pope, it waa no loss bin duty to int*^rfere where he 
(linear u«d evil." 

The envoys received & Burly ackiumledgmont from tha 
KiD^, aa aoon aa he had gathered from their deapatchta tha 
tenor of thoir embassy. The deounciation of married clorica 
aficctod him go far, that the crnaade against ifniaorality 
voold reflect chit^fly upon himself, and compel him to purify 
his court from the liceDtiouan«afl which prevul^ there with 
hia MuidioQ and approval. 

The laws levelled ligaiDSt lay investitures entaikd mora 
MrioQii ptjraocial eonsequeneeis, besides threatcninga limitailon 
of his power over the election of the clergy. Bnt the pabU* 
cation of Uitf di?i;rcea agaiuet siTJnotiy cnus^3 even mora 
irritatioD to the mooarcL, aiDce he had relied upon tht* 
pnictjc& aa a prolltabic aourca of tncoma. The tcrriblo 
examples to be madci of those nho continued to afford bun 
meaoa for hia extruva^acee, wpuld, as he well knew, dctar tho 
colprita from contributing any longer to his coffers. *' Ue 
sold hia biohoprioa to the highest bidders, or to tho^c who 
ooold beet flatter his vicee, and after bo hod thos sold a 
kttahcpric, if another competitor ofiered more mon^yormore 
aoooptably praised hi» crimes, he deposed the former aa a 
ainosiiac* and ordained tbe other id his [ilHce, whence it 
hsftpvned Uial many cities had two Bishopa at once and 
both of them unworthy." ^ We are furthrr told by a 
Protcatant writer that " auch wa> the aad cane of the coUDiry, 

117 



L 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



!<]Ul^ 

p4 



Ihvl Marccly hud a single ecclcoiatftic bocn continni 
the imporiai crowa ^^tuitously. No eooncr vras a Seft 
vocAnt, tbaa a Bwann of ombitioan churchmen end^Avonr^^^ 
\y oSm of moDo}' toobtain it." ^ " Thus/' says the btetomo, 
"thow vlio coveU^ but tinrf^d not diroutly Heiz« upon th« 
poeseestoDi^ nf the Cliiirch, bad obtained thoir end by thnwU 
utg into her beii«no«ii minioDA of Uieir own, who had Doibiriff 
«Oo1«eiastictd but thu o&m«."' Those clerics who had o^^ 
tainnd thuir puAiLiQuH by UDCJiuimic:^, though uot in evi^H 
ttsa by eimonioCA^ mcAntt, were naturaily r«)ucUuit to r^ 
liaquuih tbeid. Nor were tht Uymeiv who Lad UAar|3^ 
privilc£Oi« And revcnncs of tho Church willing to 
vrithiiut proC^at thoir outhcrity acd thoir rich <iQ]oluiaQnt& 

Tho Dumcrous disputes and difturbanc^^s coiiJto(|Uciit upon 
thifl (^ucfition wore protractod f<^^ ni^arly half a century, Thoy 
wero at lon^^h ended at tlic Diet of Wcrms,ho1d in U2S, and 
at which CalixtoB IL presided^ At this Couo«t]. whleh waa 
aTti?Lided by t(?prcsvnta.tivG6 frorn moBt of the Enropdas 
courts, int-'Iuding that of GvrniAny. t^ folb^win^ poInU were 
decided: ''Tkat the Em[>eroir mi^bt givu tho inwvttnent of 
Uiat reg&lia ouly by the sceptre, aud that tho vlecUHl ahuuld 
receive the ^eif* and other Yikt bcnefite granted by the 
Sovereigns to tho Ohurch. The iuTestmeut by ring aod croaiar 
WAS to be rcai!r%'ud solely for the Pope," Aln;udy in 1107, 
BJstecn years before the pMaint; of the decrees. Hcnjy L of 
Engfland had yiuldcdr makiu^ however the ctipulation thai 
Bishope should on their appoitttment take the oatli of fealty 
to the Crown. ^ In Fniuov, we learn, invctttituro \ty ring 
Greater had nevar bo«n the cuatom, and yet " th^ Biahopa 



ng Anifl 



' Z/nu ri/rAc Jionian Poiit^a tiAQilAteil hy the C1i«v«3i<;r 1^. 
ddMvaUr, IdTl. 

■ XW the aviiLOm o! trifEdciufj: la htac^ctt svrriTod b thb country, 
even Ma Ul« w thv lut hiilf cifulufjt is cvjdcut frum J- Cv Siannjadi. 4 
vribcr of that data " Ktjjflnud m thv onLv uouuiir la CLiriitetuioci 
tiherc ainionj u opeulj prh:ti«<id and vindicated. W« d-t txal UcAt it. 
*biiiperi*d a* in Bocnaa C>k1lo11c countHfa, it b op«aIj prwkii 
war/ a«wA|»por,'' 




Meeting at Worms 

been lo^al to the FrencL Ririg^ and th^ legitimate iuftnsDce 
of Uie Irtlter ia appointments htv\ not been uulliCod." 

AttlicCoiiferencoofCUflloEB the Archbishop of Trev^, on 
bohalf of H«Dry, claimed thot mODnrch'e right to tho in- 
TCBtlitan? by ring .'uid crosier It; reply to his speech the 
Bi^op of Flaceatia ciproeacd in the name of the Popo the 
foUowiog opinion, — " Tha Ch«rd» rodoeinod by the prcdoua 
blood of Jt>Bua Christ must do moro be onHlavod, tind eho 
would be the slave of pnnc£«i could ah« not ohooso a prel&to 
wiLhout consulting E[np<}Tor or Kin^- It is a crime af^inat 
God for a prince to ^v& the investiture by tht- rin^,thff croflii 
aad tlio paatoral etaff, and the prelates discredit their coaotry 
if they Buhmit their han^s consecrated to the Body and Blood 
of our lA>rd to th(5 hands of luymeo I'e^^kiog with blooil."' 

Ftlrions at whnt he considered an t^croncliment on tho 
niynl pr<>roaati\i^ Henry siiinmoned a nieetiojj at LbiiMe 
pralateM And utibots meotioned in the decree as having been 
habitually addiuti^d to ainioay and incontinence. The city of 
Wormi was in a buzz of excitement and '' thither flock<id all tbtr 
diacontcntcd ; the hotisce were crowded with priests* familica 
Aod buyers and sellers of hoJy oifices.'' 

The mooting as one mi^ht well Buppo^o woa a turbulent 
ooOt but alt wore agreed in their denunciation of the statutes 
just pasflftd. The ob&ervcine^ of the clearly expounded laws, 
espeoUlly those relating to th«> celibacy of the olern^y, would 
affipct tiie whole counw of thciir Hv«a. " Aro we to Uv& like 
angola?" they passionately exclaim^. '*We will renounce 
thv |iriCMthood nithor tJiaii our wivt*s." 

It IS Roinewhat remarkable that Flenry was (he only 
monarcb in l^urope who e/1pQU^<.'«l the cauw of the married 
prioat& " It luaAti the work of reforia easier For Gregory, and 
the confusion and tumult CDnncqucnt upon the chan^ 
gi«diully AubaideU before the Qrm enforcement of the decree." 
*'This first conflict gradually sabsided in courro of time/' 
romarka another hiatorian in almost aimilnr worda, '* through 
' F)eut>, Iv. p. 400, 

t t9Q 



L 






MatUda^ Countess of Tuscaay 

tbt» finandSB fui4 pomovoranoo of the PontifT, nor waa tbj 
'uiy one nmcuj^ the Europdim aovcrui^M Jinpjscd to booomtt 
the jMfroQ of clergymen'! wiv^/' ' Centuries af t«r '' our ov^H 
itnpeHoui EliKaboth, wh«u addr^xiug thd wife of Archbiah<i^ 
Ffl,rlciir, could rtnd for her no other le^itimat^ app«]lflUi 
the generic name of wfnntin" 

Ever HiDce hiH election to tht^ Holy See the Pontil 
deHrecJ a peiwjnal iatervi^w with Ui*? K'"g- flc wn* con* 
TiDced th&ti loAtiog buDetlt to the mnnai^b would retmlt fra^| 
& iDeetio^ and a coDi^iillatioD upon ilio matters in dispute. 
Legate tiftor L^at« was eont to Uennany to request Ueary'jt 
preac^nce id Rome '' to give aatiefnctory osplnDation coniceni' 
ing; the disorders of his clergy otiU to destroy t)ie aW^ttviof 
simony." The pcaooful intontione of Oro^ry were d^fe&to^— 
by bho dofiant t>c;aniij; of the Kin£, who turned a dc^f car I JB 
all the PontifTa iDBesogofl, and treated hie enroya villi marked 
jiuolonco and contompt. 

But the vcicd of ibe Church could not thus be ail^iuN^d, 
and nt length Henry was threatened with pnniKhicent from 
the Holy See, if be refused to correct the evils to which hii 
attention had ho repf-atodly been drawn. " It is hetter," 
writes the Pope to Bi^atrioc and Matilda, " to reRiRt a King for 
his own salvation, even to shedding our own blood, than 
liifie oursfilvcs with hitu by consenting to miLjuity topli 
him." 

The menace of excoznTnunication to which Gregory refc 
and which was more strongly wordod than the veiled 
inf^ which had pncccdod it, arrce^itcd for a time the hcadloi 
course of tho King. He promieed to cheek the licentiouAni 
of tht^ clergy to which his own life fumi^hod so fall an 
cxunple and to pat an end to simoniocal proclicee. jj 

Unfortunately his rosolutiors were di^feat^d by the deaUi 
of Hanoo, Archbi«hop of Cologne, which took place early ii 
December of this year (l^^75). Henry hod held hia h 
fjfuardian in deep respect, he being the unly ui&n tyt whom 
' Inttittdai of Xscttriatticai i/utofy- Jclm L. vou MoHbvito. 
130 




St Angelo 



stood in awe For n^&rly twenty ye^re liad llie preliitt*, 
wbom ihty ChxiTtrh hiu crirKJiiEAod, tiougbt to bring him to a 
MOM of hill temporal wa&kneaa as Qrogory had of hia 
•pintuaJ Hhortcoraingn» Now the tittro voicv of reproof waa 
hodwd. DO more woiiJd tianno stand in hia patii, and Uie 
handn that codeavoured to rutitratn him from dinhonoQr were 
folded meekly in doath. 'Che King, prcdispoflod to vJoo and 
tgrroundod by Hattoror^ and Uebuuchod companions, wa« now 
free to poraue anbindered his career to utter nun. The dia- 
tnrbttnceaii) Jtalyandin Home itaialf, fostered by his partiKan^, 
were the aource of iiiiic*h concern to the Holy Fatht^r aud to 
hia friends in Tuscany. Alttioiigli Ihey cAiiaod much djatrens 
aiid aniKiynnt^ff lit thi> iime, tbeHe iiisiirrtN^itiotift wc^rt- Hu^^rnnh 
of Ute conU)*iLH and cunvoisioiw which were to follow and by 
which Italy finally nhook htm^elf frtw from OennHii crmLrul, 

AmmiK tbf mwl ntrikiii^ object« of Kumn during th^ 
PnntificAte of Gregory waa the Castl<r nf St Angelo, wboee 
mueivc lowers r«Dd«red it almost imprc^able. The fortrese 
at t)tat time comlotcd of a c)uadmax^lar bobem^^ni eiir- 
moiinted by a building of three etoric:!, reaching to a hoight 
of two hundred and thirty feet and oommandinj: a magnifi- 
oent view of thi^ CFtpito). It bad be<*n built by the Emperor 
Hadrian for hia tomh, and received ite pr^eeat familiar name 
from iha following incident. In the sixth century Rome wae 
devaatated by a plagueoanaed by tb«> decay of vegetable matter 
faonM into tbn city by the iuundation of the Tiber, To- 
wards the end of the yaar 689 it iucieaaed in violenct^and 
carrici] off many of thr fH<p;jUtioii including PcTagjns the 
rmgniug IVnlltf. The poculiar character of the i^cfititence 
beba; prolonged tito of nnec/tng and yawning, Orefrory L 
who bad succeeded to tho Fapal Chair dixre^jd that *' God 
bkee yon," ahoold he oaid to thoac who enceaod and that the 
idgn of the Oroea ahonid be made over the moutbft of those 
whoyawpodJ He furthor decided that a tour should be made 

■ U m tnTHUM te noU th4t in many ttntntry ptu^H* th* pncticc ujH 
•iirviTntjidold nar»M rapv^ittiw wcrdu **Ck>d UIamjau^'' k^ tbairyuniiic 
ohMgaB vlien th*y tmma ^ 

131 



I 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

rotind the plftgne-strieken city imploring GcxI's mercy on ite 
unhappy people. Tim congregAtioDii stnrtcd from six 
dttr^r^nt churches nt various poiot^, thtitfroin St Peter's Ittftr- 
ing iu the midst tlie picture uf Our Laily aald to huve btrcn 
pftuitoi) by 3t Luke. On arriTiog ftt the Mauaoleum Uie 
people were arstomfihed to behold the 5gure of tin nrigcl ftbovo 
tho building who. at their approach, sheathed hlsdrawusword. 
From that moment the pla^e, we arc told, docrcoaod in Tiru- 
loace and. " whereas oa tlic outwitrd joumoy twenty-FourHuc'^ 
Climbed to its etTsota, when they rotumed no one died and »ood 
all traoee oE the pestiloEice disjippQared/' To commemorato the 
event a figure oCSt MicbaeHlidArchaHaf^el inmarhleTand wtufib 
wae afterwards replaced by on& of bronze, was placed over 
the Mausoleum which was henceforth known by the name oi 
the Caatle of St AngeJo 

During the reign of Gregory VIL the forLreaa Wttt: 
inhabited by a powerful noble named C^nci. Jlt^ was the 
son of a former profrct of B^me, and hifi ilisHolute life and 
open nets of ainiony had drawn upon him thfr dUpleafflirej 
of tha Church. Maddened by the excommonicnttofi whinhi 
followed the murder and roijbery of hia nnde» he placed, 
himfielf at the head of a bond of malcontents* who roU 
the pilgriraB &d they came to lay their gifts at the feci ot\ 
the Pontitf. 

Heoffored hie sorvicefi to Germany, and received in rotum 
immunity to pillaj^e anJ levy tolls upon travellcrv wbc 
cro^^ed the Bndge of St Angelo wliich atpaos the 'nber. 
Years ago he had taken the part of Cadalooa* and ainco thei 
defeat of that nnti-pope he had revenged himselF by constAnt 
Ineuraionfl into the territories of Beatrice anj Matilda, who 
had bt<<-[i fin thoside of Alt^xander, but Lhe princesiies were bo 
r4ithfu)ly served by their aubjecta that Cenci Wits bi^ab^n 
back at every point. Foiled in thia atU^mpt to corrupt the 
loyal Tiacana, the plotter conceived the project of cuptmringi 
Oe egory and sending him aa a pri.ioncr to Ucnry. ile care- 
fully laid hia |>lanB. aud only awaited an opjiortanity, when 

<33 




Legend of St Maria Maggiori 

the unttiitijwt^ting Pope shoiilJ l>e UDAttHiid^Til, to carry them 
ID to effect. 

In tils early medieval times it wa« UHual for the raitUful 
to HpeiiJ tti« [lighl precK^diD^ Chriatmob in c«)rtain churcbco 
vrhic^h remained open And \d which ll^hta were kept buruinf; 
Evet) now. when oth^r viifiJa are no longer thus obBorvcd 
Mun iM etill isaid at midnighl on the eve of the fcativc natftl 
d«7 of our Lord, 

Succee^ve Pootifl^ hot! wo^c it a rule to eolobratc the 
Haas on thia holy vigil in S. Mitria Maf^;pori, ac otitic 
bocad»o it wjLs, .lu iie miine implicfi, tLv Itir^ijut eJiurch lu 
Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. It was built upon 
tho ruins af a temple of Diana, and is somGtiniea known lut St 
M&ry uf the Snow. ThiH tillu waA giveu to tho bafiihc-a from 
A IngirnJ whit^h relittca th&t ere tht; church was built ntni 
while the site wns yet unciertain, he^ivy hnow fHll trnv 
An^st en the groGod on which the bai^ilicn wne afterwards 
erected. Lib»ritiJ», tlie reigning Fontii)', hearing of the 
remMrkable occurrence* proceeded to the spot, and kneeling ixt 
tho i»DOw trotccd with his linger a plan of the future building* 
Tho incidoDt was aXtorwikrds cammomorated by a repreeentft- 
tioti in brons^c bo^roliof on the front of the altar- The 
church hod, in courso of years, gradually fallen into decay, 
and the Qoighbouring streets, inhabited by the lowest of Uio 
poasantry, wure considered unsafe for well-^iroBeed pedestrians. 
But Qrogory whoe« frequent vialt« to the homes of Ukt poor 
had made hU person familiar to them, and who often preached 
in th«ir church, had nothing to fear from hi^ children, Kxttti 
tho most ferocious of tfie brigand^i who haunted the Caijipagjia 
treated htm with respect and welcomwl him as a true friend 
af till? nn fortunate. 

Die u*iual congregation, therefore, of St Mary Mi^or, to 
give its English cquivitleut. was generally composed of the 
peuAoie auti wandering Bhc|4ierd3. whose calling has been 
for erer «DOoblcd from their having been tho first wcr&liippere 
of our Lord. On the vigil of Christmoa the nnmbcis were 

>5J 



Matilda, Countess of 'luscany 

{generally augmented by more fABhicuabta p^rfiona 
ciiino from connidurahle <t]«tAikC€t4 to A««iet at the midnight 
Hau, and to receive the PontiBcal blcfisinf;. 

Tbd f&Mt of tlkd Nativity of 1075 was one that wm 
fated to be memorable iu the anuaift of the Uvos of thd PopeA, 
It woe heralded by a terrifc stariu of wiud and rain which 
lasted all day, and the w attar runhing doiEvn ilie slofxs Uka 
a deluge fnadi) trsvelling a matter of Berioua discomfort and 
even danger, 

Gregory iuteuded to bo pru^keat at the midnight uervica 
aad in aptbe of the wnrmings and prayers of liin atlcndnnts 
wuA tiot to be d]&fiuad<^d iroui Lie purpuao by the forceb of tlie 
warring elements. The Holy Father knew foil well what a. 
diaappumtiiiont his abBouce woulJ be to Ida cMldreo, who 
looked to r^coive his blcasing ot that holy eeason, and roaolvod 
at all rieks to be with tticm* As woe his rule whoc viettiD 
poor churches, he dispcnaod with the eervices of aa MOOrt, 
aceompnniud by a f^w personal frit'udB he reeolutely moon 
thd Esquilice Hill, undeterred by the roaring wind and riuJi* 
ing water n. 

Only n Tow of the moHt harrly conld venture out in ^ueh a 
tempbat, and, coiiserjuentljr^ cQiitmry bo the ueoiO cnrttum, tlif' 
attendaucL' was but ^jiarAC. 

From bho earliest titnea it had been the rnlc to divide ifa 
Hcxea, the mcu. thei^foie, had their aeata on the eotitU ur 
Epistle ^de, while t}it women sat on the north or Gospel 
«de of the building. According to the oM cbronidd^ tha 
Kmpcrc>r3 had thulr solium or throne "in the Qppor eud of^ 
the mcn'a apartment next to tho chancel, and the Kniprvoa 
in the womcn'e apfirtmcnt" 

It waa the ouBtom dinoa the fifth contury for the Etnporora 
or Uicir r«preaentntivef^ who were present on the vij^iJ of 
Chriatmafi to stand *' aword in baud during ibo reading of tbo 
GoepeP' to signify th«ir roadiD«Ha to uphold their faith, 
C^artemagncf himaelf, with drawn aword, atood before tfao 
people, and in a clear and «onoroaii vnic^. more chaatened 



I 



L 




Attack on Gregory 



than wlien it thuodftrcd forth bia orders on the battlefield, 
" road ftluud tho Uotipd of P«aoo/' Bnt now there Vfts do 
Rmporor aa of old to tsko his pluoe dvrbg the ceUbratiati of 
Mofid (knd Ui tfitrtiiy by hie proaonoo hie love for Gcd And hiB 
obcdioDco to the Church bo founded, Gregory- wite poinluny 
TCminded of Uiib a» bia eye reeled eadly npou tha vftcotit 
tbrooo which Henry might have £Ued h^id he reciiived the 
imperial orowu. From the heart of the Pootitf there rose up 
to Heaven a prayer that the King might eveu yet prove tu 
ba worthy of the privilege. 

The e&nrice (^nmmettced, stid Gregory's voioe miugUug 
with tfjo ruar of th» g&le wae Almost m&udihlb to thoee at the 
btu;k uf thi.^ chorch. A^ he iutoued thb hyDiu of i\\v jmgolv 
OD thts firat Chritttmae Eve, a eaddei) change took place iu the 
weather, aad the wind abntptly ceaacd ite prokiiige<] roaring. 
Aa the tempeat abated, strange and dreadCul aoundo were 
hccLrd ID the lull of theetertn — aonnde which struck terror to 
every womfin's heart and filkd the tnon with alarm. The 
praytirft of the faithful wore interrupted by tho ring oE stool 
and thecloBh of arme.aikd from the dark ehadowa oaat by the 
lua^aivu pUlare tliere glided forth the Forma of armed man. 
iioodlete of Uie shriekc of the women, and roughly thrueting 
anide the met: of the conj^eg&tion who aiti^mpted in vain to 
bar their progr&as, the iiivaderB of t^e eaactnary ruahed to- 
wanie the altar at which, dtr^rugurdiug the intcrrtijitioD, 
Gregory wua ooutiuniiTg his Maee, LTLdet.erred by hia piety 
arid oQurage they tore dowu the rails which dividcsl th» 
aanetuary from the choir and threw theiusetvea npon the 
Fontitt', who made no appeal a&d oftbred no leeiatance. tie 
waa (|uiekly overpowered aod aeriotialy hurt both in the 
forehead nn<l right hand by hie cowardly aAaailants, who 
''rained down a ahower of blowa" upon his veuerable head 
and atrippvd him of bia Pontifical veftmentB. 

He bore it all aileutly and uuditicJ^ingly, aod, tboogh 
uticipaUng certain tnnrtyrdoni, held hie blwdiug head aa 
erect aa wb4^ but two yeam ago it had been crowned by the 



L 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



tfan. TarDiiig to hia fric-uds* vrho vero preparing to aT^offd 
bim, Greg:ory caraoetly boggod them in tbo name of ibe 
Prince of Vefxve uot to further deadcrule the sacred building 
by cauBiDg bloodshed in ordor to elToot hie reeciie. Silently 
he folio wei! his captom dcivn the long aigke, aDd with **& 
BtreTigth psrfected id weJikaese** prepared to meet his inUf. 

Appreb^iiHiva of pursuit Cend, who wan in ooruuiatid of 
the l^aud, ordered the Popo to be thrown across a honw In 
front of one ot hia followers, and in that ignnniiuimirt luArner 
conveyed him to St AugelO' Arrived at the Castle the agod 
Pon^lT, diz^y from Iosb of blood and froiu the »hock of tb« 
savage attack, slowly and painfally toiled ap the €teep at^^ps 
leading to the towt-r without uttering tmc word of expostula- 
tion or commout, ±:>caroQly had Conoi coDi^atulatod himeelf 
on the euoueea of bin plot whdn a murmur from below, 
gathering in stTGD;;th and volumo qg it approached, warned 
him that the populace bad rl^nu in defence of their revered 
Pastor. On seeing him brutally set upon and earned off ft 
prisoner the pneata and panic-stricken congregation rushed 
madly into fhu «trei^ts, utli*rtng loud crius of terror and 
dismay. The inUnbitantN, reused From their midnight rest, 
rapidly armed UiejiiHelven and huHteuGd to the place uf 
the Pope^s unpiisonTiieiit, The imLSsive g^lesv whioh in 
the Lurry bad not been securely fast^nod, were soan forced^ 
and the Romart citizens crowded up tbo stairs to free or to 
ftTenge. 

Geod would have been torn in pieces by hia infuriated 
countrymen had not (Jrcffory himatOf intyrponcd on bi« 
behalf. Livid with fear, ho oai=t biiuBoHat tbo Potititf'e feet 
saying, "Ob, Father, shield mo asd show mcrc^ to mal 
Indict on m^ som« ponutico and appeal, as ihon welt knowest 
how to do, to these people in anna agaiust inc by the just 
Judgment of God All sinfnl ns I rid, take me into thy holy 
bands and give me tinie to repent." 

Gregory, whoFie austerity of manner concealed hia tender 
feelings, w^a easily moved to mercy. Ke look^td upon his 

■36 



I 



I 




Gregory^s Forgiveness 

fallen foe with ey€e of pity, hod in geDtle tooea addreeaed to 
him the foUcwiag wurda : '' My son. tho gat© of life may yet 
open for thee if thoti wilt repent with all thy heart." (^uci 
r«flul]]y promiued ameudnieiit. atid repea,tvdly prot^rated i\\B.i 
he wQoM fnltit Any peiiftno«, however sBveru, if the Pope 
would but forpvr him, Gregory replicri], '* Tlie evil thoa host 
doDe to ma I forgive tJiee, but what thou hunt done to the 
Cburoh thou tiiunt oxpnttate ub I comm&nd Uiee. ThoQ 
muflt first of all go to Jerosulem. &ud if thou livo«t to come 
back, thou nhalt plucc thjaelf tinder mj [vtiicUiice tio that, if 
it be poseiblo, thou tuayeet yet receive tho graco of God, and 
after having booorrie an axampio of mi<iuityH thou mayeet 
become an example of repcatano']*." So eaying he rAwod bi« 
it3] ble&ding baod over Ihc- culprit and gav€ bim the pardon 
ho deeired- 

Cenci, with bowed bvad «ttd abuihacl mien, pasaed quickly 
through the roeuaciiEg i4nd angry throng, and mixing with 
the crowd was a:>oii lost to view \u the darkoesa 

Tbe peoplisnow pressed round the wounded PontifTwhoMf 
^r^y hatr» were rnntUxl with hlood, nnd with BGliuitoun cure 
Uiny torn op Htrip« of linen with which they bound up hii 
wounda. " My childreu/' aaid ho. '' let ua now go to the 
efanidi and olTer up tho Holy Sacrifice/ otid aupported by 
hie friende be retraced hia tottering atops to S. U&ria 
^aggioH Leading tho way to thd altar, where freah 
Teetmetnle wt^ri? pla<:(>d D|>on him, ho continued tho prayeru at 
tho point at which be had boon tnterrupted. With a voice 
ftlmoet inaadiblo aniidet the <j; en oral commotion which 
prevailed among the ngiiatt-d cr^ngrL-gation, he redted the 
ooUeeta aa though he bad forgotten tha outrage of whioh be 
had b«MiD tbe victim. 

In spite of the increaaing weakue«B which threatened 
every inntant tti overpower him Uie tndomltablo Poattif io 
trembling tonee read aloud the Goapel of the day which 
namtee the birth of Ujo Uodeemer, At tlic ooncltuion, ovor- 
oome by an emotion be oould no longer control, be raiaed hia 

137 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

btndaged hfxnd 4ibovo his Caithful tlock. M^kiiig wltli 
the eif^a of tho oroea ovor their bowed boada ho iuvoted 
upon th&m the bleeding of the Holy Trinity. ^H 

It 10 highly probiible thai thd ou«tom of bleanDg tho 
oongregatkiD^ now univera^ily udoptod in tho C&tholio crburcb, 
took its me from this incident Tho action u not mentioned 
by enrlier hiatoriflitg nor by Gregory's predecessors, aod it 
had uot become & common pracLiue even At tho end of t hq,^ 
century id whioh it origitiaT.ed. ^| 

Gregoiy^H pre&eii(» of mind and courage t^ouH ttot taSi to 
have a eootbiug eticct upon tbe tumultuous paMioDS nhi« 
were eeetbiug in (lie breautA of hie liboratorB. l£iu Mr«ni1 
at suob a moment of iDtenee eicitooieot calmed hii bi] 
apirited oountrj^mcu o.nd averted what wouJd othi 
wiee have been a. scene of wild contueion, etrifo and loaa o£ 
lilG. M 

Cenci, however penitCDt he appeared tobe, did not afters^' 
perfonn the peuUiiice imposed upon hiis by tho forpving 
Pontifl'* Under pretenoe of preparing for a pilgnmugc he 
collected nil hi£ goods and his family ^Ld retired with them 
to Germany, where he was opeuly rcooive*! at Court Gregory 
waa of too generoue a nature to take reveogo For perftorjftl 
Lujuriea, and neither then nor at any other time did he ntnko 
mention or compUiot to thi.' King ol' tho countenruice which 
had been given to hie nasatlaat '^Thia reALrvo/' commeut» 
the hietoriau, "ta to bo noticed in a lettfjr he wrote to Henry 
on tho sixth d^ty of the ides of January, tUirte^D days uftef- 




■ " CoDtritron and cfmiewtcti " alio r(yi»ire KitUfoattollttihaC litbo fvi 
fWmtiat uf thu ixtiiiinLv viijoirii^J by the priait i>rD he ^V«t tiHtfenLntioo. 
\V« tiud iti Hiiiy Writ tUivi thoiigb Ci'.xf furgjkrt^ Adekni tmA Ere for th«ir 
diiobcdi«iia« ±nd pruuiiu^ thviu n l^^t^lwrn^r, th^^v i^cro (Iri«cTi frcu 
Pnndui* ao^ bone^tortlt livod a. l%t<^ c^f ix'nujicir. Motvs' wtnt of ooo' 
fidenoo Lu God wiu torgivi^n aiA he dei!! r»mntri(Ki li-ftdiM' of tho cLildrca 
of IsnMlLbut bowQflpimwLcd bj not buiOK nUi^wwJ woutfrthe IVomijicJ 
lAtid' Numbori %%^ \i^ David lUw ww p^rdr^nod tu« );r»t niti. I>ul lie 
vaHpunukbod m thi< «(»rM by Uiei|«4thof bistioQ, nud wii j'^tii fivni 
8aipttiro« cf the puiiL«DtuJ apirit in whidi he fkcwptod ha p« 
S SijuuoJ xii, l£» vie. 

138 



P 



Henry Summoned to Rome 

wmxdB whan he miut «till hare been eud^eriag from hiB 
woondj." 

AlUiougb Gregory wfksdiepoeod to takeDofurthernotiooof 
tbe Ms&ult. the CardiQuIs coiiBidcicd the matter more gravely, 
and wora of opimon tLat bj tbo 8aonlegiL»UB attack upou tbe 
Pontiff, tbo dignity and i^uthontf of tli& Cburcb, wbicb he 
njprosoDled oe Iload had boon publicly outraged. It wae 
evident thiit tb^ King, if nut Ebu instif^tor of tbeact, ^vasln 
roftltty tbe ftbettor, aad in puniMhitig ko flagrant an oH«nae 
again^ the Hoty 9e« tbe blow must &l§o fall upon bim aa one 
»rtbe priikcipnl ofT^nd^rn. Appc^Als for Iiih rufunu luid been 
it8elt-Hft,gaiit!f« wordHund [lert^naaivemehnBUadbaen powerle«R 
to oiorQ bis hearl or tci prueiire any tmtwnrd Hign of jt^pent- 
ftxioo or aubmbuio:]. The Churcb, wetuied by nis eontintiod 
obtftindc)- and ron»ed to anger by hie dijvregard of her oona- 
mand0>now dcmnnded thjtt an example flhonld be inade^aQd 
Gregory had no alt^^rnatiyc bnt to laiiuoli forth in bcr n'une 
tho penalties oP denunciation. Matters hud now reached a 
cricifi which bail boon baBteni>d by Henry's tacit t-ncourag- 
ment of the attai^k up'jn ib-j PontitV. The eentcnce vbicb 
bad so long hn[k|*^Bii6pepded like the «word of Damoolea over 
his head, sind which hud been deferred by tho fr^rgiviug epirit 
of Grjfgorj', waa Buffered to fall without further delay. 

Thb firet intimation, vo are told^ tliut tbe King rocoived of 
tbe faol, was h mesen^e i^onveyed to hiiri hy a sp^riti] envoy 
fniin Home th.at hiH prcsuiicc would bo t;xp(^1td ut a Connoil 
to be held in that tiby ztt Uie end uf January. 

Long before the hmir iiJied for the meeting the etreetA 
leading to tbe Pontifical palace weie crowded with eager 
podeetriaoA, who were drawn tbitbcr by canostty or by « 
d«Hire U* obtain a glimpse of {Jregory hi mac If. Their gaze 
followed with mneb intercut tho inpodng proccauon of 
OardJoalfi, IBiabopB, Abbotn, beada cf tnonaetio houBc«, uobleA 
and koigbtt, wilb tbcir nnmercue attandants, who camo frx^m 
all parts of Europe to toetify to their k«&1 for the Holy See 
aod their devotion to ita Viear. 

»39 




andj 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Bcntrircaiid Mntililu, ouheunuguFth^oiitrAgi; u[ton their' 
beloYcd pastox» Imd hurried to Si Peter'e. aod hy their 
tfolicitoujt niirnuig bad bo fur reatored hie el)atterc<l Dorrea 
tbnt, b^ tbc end of January, be was eu^ciootlj tccovCTtfd bfl 
be f>roHu:it at t}iQ cotmciL ^1 

Tbe prinoessoB, toother witb the poet Doniao, w«r« 
present lit tbe a«tiL-mbly itnd were, "by tbcir itotiuim uid 
worde/'ashe bimself taUa tu, "dear to &U, both imall 
great." 

(iTGgQry, ntill priln unrl w^tik from tbe shdck nt CiTnei'K 
umltriMiUutiiit, preaidod ovnr Lli« Ur^e cGucourettuFclencA ajid 
laymen — "tli;it entbuKluatio tbioiLg o? mitred a.iid armed 
adlidrdiitfi.'* "Hq Imtcued 1o barmomee whicb luigbl not 
unfitly bavo occorapacied tbe worship of Ede&, find joined 
in anthtimH wbicb in far distant ages bad been sung bj 
bleaatsd eainta in dark crjpte and hy triumpbaut mariyra in 
tb«ir dying ngoniee, and inhaled the incoost symbolical of tho 
prajcra uH'orod by tho Cathalio CbuTcb to bcr oternal 
HeEtd;-^ M 

Tbe sin^n^ waa ended, the perfumoe of the incenee h*^^ 
died ftwny, tlwre waa a pnuBo of eipaotancy; but oo aiga 
Qfttue from Henry, no represetitatiTe, no moaiagd. ^M 

At length tha Pope, rising slowly from hia throne, tao^t 
the deathlike ailence of tho uiiuTiml, proceeded to pronotmcfi 
upon tb« Kitig tbe atdonm form of excommnni cation. Tbiaia 
tbt3 most awful puniiihnieiit that finn fall upon a Outholic 
aince. as its name implies, it deprives tho oifuiidisr of 
cummuuicaLiou with tbc Church. 

To Gregory, the ordeal was moni trying', and 
voice broken by omoti<jn, and tho tenrs which coi 
unchecked down hiscareworn cbeeke* were eloquent witnemei 
of the sorrow with wbiob he performed his painFuT duly. Be 
bore tbe King no ill-nill, and oven while paeeing aent^nco 
U|>»D him, would willingly have yielded hia life^ if by bo 
doinghecooldaave tbe yonug monarch from the ooneequeni 
' Eij^ht HoDoumbic Sir JftmoH SU^h*cu 



thnhc 




Excommunication 



of his tolly. EY^ryone present waa ftwar« of tbui ftod 
know that at the least token of rcponiance on Licory'A 
part ho would moat f*lad]y and immodiatoly rovoku tbo 
anathema. 

Unfortouatelj for Qregory'a hopea tbo oxcomtnuTiication 
(Tame at a timo vrhen iha King wne Isogt likely to beod hia 
prOQd heoii to biu merited puujyhmdnt. Be fmd jiuit 
mcceeded in cnisbing a riring of the Saxoca and bad ra- 
entered Goabir in tritunph, Fluah^d witb pride at froonqueat 
vbicb be bi^li^ved wnuld be final, be t^nt n letter to Beatrice, 
aiid,titiuwuri^ of Uiudiac^ree iesueil FigA:uat him, hud endowed a 
miuiv*) for tbe Poiitifr The almost threatening tone of hJH 
comtnuni cation sbovred dearly to hie friendn that ho vitM 
bojood the control of the Chnrch. Even from hie relative 
he withheld the reepecb due to her rank and ago, and concluded 
bis unconrteoua epiatla abruptly vvitb the foTlow^og worcbt, 
"And I forbid tbnt oryono koo^i except you, tny aunt 
Beatrice, and yf>ur d:inghtor Matilda, 

K<!aliaiu^ aa he did the droadfol oonscqueneeft which but 
flcntcnco oritmled upon bim, :hnd the prr>bablu ill effect it 
would have on tbe allegiance of hia aubjeota, Henry lost all 
ootitrol over hiM pnssion. Laabed into fttry he threw 
paiulauce to the winda^ and by bia anbaequent acts of 
retaliation for ever dispelled any hopes that hia fnendji 
entertnined nf his reroucilintion to th& Ghtircb. 

Hnrrying to Worms be bastily convened a meeting of 
BtHbopa. wboae einioiiiacal procticea had mode them too 
dependent upon htm to reafot his will, even if tbey bad l>een 
so incLiued.^ 

Tboeeobeeqaiotisprelatea.ansionatoploaaelbeirtymnuieal 
moater, voted at hia doaire for the dcpnaition of Uro^ory and 

^Amoog the marriMl prulAUw rr|)iv«Tntod nt thu m^linCi tliQ 
foUovi&ff, ^'OttOD EvCqiKi do OtmHUcnv, ftitrkiril KWijur dr Bulo. 
B(ii^:fa^u BvAquv dv Liu^uli? d i1<'iiLt<;[kfjicd F.v('i[iw dc Sii^n ikv^itul 
encooni IWcnuiiauaicfrLior: du PupcOir^^uirc V]L t>ourav«r rcfiM£de>o 
■ouaioUrv aux h^iwaiui dkrcU dc <« PooUfe que ptvHrivucnC le 
uariaf* 4m pr4lre«." Lanbcft d'AMhoC 

Ml 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



^esnbstitntioaof&partiaEUiol thoirovn to ftUlb^Pootifli 
Chiiir. 

Having thus sounded the not« of defiance Henrj, in, J 
en n til mtilidiiK letter addresatHf " to thw mrtrk HiUJBbriuid/* 
forth the •ontcnoe which the 00-callod cowncil had pronounced 
Againnt him. Thre daniig and impious domnrtcnt ooDoInded 
with the tV>]lowiDf* appeal to the Hemana " Riaa up a^Aiuet 
hm Uion, my faithful anbjeote, unti let bim who it faithfcl to 
me be the flret to oondemn 1 We do not bid yon sbed bU 
blood for, after his depodtioi^ life will be harder to him thin 
de&tb, but conipel him to deecend and, if he r^-fnse to do so. 
place ID the Apostolic ChiLir aoother elected by n« with the 
commnn nonaeut of the DthIkiph who cah And will hokl tho 
wotiiids which this one hus iridiotad ii])on tho Church." 

Thu iiiS9lQDt address wcu signed by Henry and tbofte of 
tbe prelates who, like bimadlf, htkil falleo urid&r iha ban of the 
Chorcih or wlio wcto in too much fe^ <>f the King juid of tb^ 
Aaeembly to refuse to add their namea. A cleric of Pi 
ramo<l BoUud was commiBsionGd to be the bo&ror of 
insulting tnavKage, 

In antioipstJOD of the preaenoe of the Ring or hia repre- 
aentfitivo to nnswar to the recently iueiied di^cree of oxcom- 
muuication, a Synod had been convened by Gregory to be- 
held in tbe basilica of St John Lateran on April 27 (1C70). fl 

The meeting was well attended by C&i-iliiiala from the 
European Courts, ntid there were tdsu prBseiit ntiD hnudre d^ 
nnd ten Bishops beaidea a goodly array of abbota, priev^ 
and regular clergy, anxJoim at tfiix jnncttire to prove 
their Atle^ance to th& Pontiff and to defend the interesta of 
the CUiifoh, Among those of tho laity wbo were preoenl 
were many foreign princee and lords av wall an Italian nobW 
and civic dignitiu-ies. 

The OoxutoBS and her daughter, whose goodneaa and 
charity were well known to tbe Bomane, were eeAled among 
the Uity but near the tliroue, ani with very different flings 
Jkw^ted the expected einbuaey from the Crermun Couit^ 



>ftbe 




Synod at St John Latcran 

AlLhoui^h at the Council b«ld in Januarjr the form of «xooin- 
miiDi«fttion hud b^wn uttered agAioet her nophov, Uofttrioo 
belieT^d that thi> yotin^ King wma not itwivre of the deingor 
into which ho tad ht^tfdleeal}' drifted. Sht! imagined that 
dlr6Ctlj he found how BeriniM hia MittiRtion was be would 
hafltt^n to lUHore the Pontiff tif Iiih i^jitrittou. She waa there* 
forti in a 8t^te t)f resilcve Jirkxirt/ ctn hi»4 acroiijit and fenrfijl 
lest sny ftoddent ehould prevetLt hiH preeenoe and explaim- 
tiooa. Hjalildaon theothDrhandfandnofiachs&Dguixieexpectn- 
tioiifl ; ahe concluded from what ebe bnew of hor cutiKiii'8 
obfltmtttonatmcthftt howoiild bo doftAnt. Et«q thesevcrcet 
pQniAhmcnt the Churcb could indict would not, tho believed 
bitvc power to moYO him, and tho soqticl shows thnt ahe was 
rif;ht is hor wnrmiKO, 

The hum of aubdncd but oom^t coav^rvalton wm hufthod 
at the appdtimnco of tb« tfoly Father, (ind the Anaombly in 
bre-athUtiiit uilenoe rose to f^eet him and h^ot cho knee to re^ 
o«ive hia bleaeiug. Onward ho came crowned with the liara 
and boruu aloft in the sedia ^eatatcria from whiebt for 
more than Utn^ cpntnriiTP, it hjul l>i^en the ctxatom of tbe 
P(>p«a oil flolemD ocoaaiooa io sec and bo aeon by tbnir faitb- 
ful children. An ho ascended the otepa of the tlirortn tbe 
audience became seated and directed bowardn hia aoroue 
countenance facea on which expreaaioDH of aoxietj and 
coiioaity were evidently i^tnig^hDg for tbe maalery. 

Beatrico, pale with apprehcfneion and ulmoat faintiu|^ from 
tbo oxoeas of ber emotion, waa aomewhat reaaaured by the 
oalm demeanour of Gregory. She fixed lipr tz^ZQ npon him. 
trying in vain to dinoeni what waa punaing in his active 
brata, oaprnrially when any unwonted baatlc withont tlie 
Council riall nppiJifTjd tn honild the Jipproach of a courrer 
fiuui Qermauy. Ilor GXpoclaitcy waa reflected in the 
featarcfl of all prcaent, fuid tho queitiopa relative to Cliurch 
goreniEDent wtiicti vfc^ra hronght forward for diactiainan 
reoaived but » diviJ^id attention. 

When Iho bnatneaji of the day waa oonc1aded> Gregory 

"4J 




4 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

^niiiod For a wbile id AnHcip^iti^n of ft nQM8Ag« from ili« 
KLng. Ttie monarch, however, madd no roponsv, juid nt 
laDjfth the PontilT diaruiBeed tho Sjncd* doairix)^ tbe CMiacil 
to ba ill attondacoe od the followiue day. 

Bt^alrice was quite overcrim« by the agony of mind wbj^ 
Bh<i had autfered during theao long boara of stiBpenBe^ ai 
when she rose from her i^i^nt her tottering limbs refused to 
support her Leaning upon Matilda's arm she slowly tjxd 
painfally oroased th? addience^chambdr^ followed by ft 
mnrmur nf sympathy from the Afisembly who realUed vr\mt 
a BtTftin upou her nervee Uie pro1uitg«d uuLcrlninty must he. 

Soarceljr hid the PontilTaxcmdcd his throne on the Sdcond 
dny's dtting of the Council when, to the relief of uM pT«eenl. 
the arrival oi an Ambaaeadcr from Germany was annonncedj^ 

At this ouhuinating point of ezoitcment aU Uyngxti 
eceroed looacned 6ud, notwithstandinp; the preseuoe of tl 
Popo^ the aound of voices eagerly Uiaoussing tho probabi 
touoT of the message rose snd fell like the sighing of antami 
viads, until Gregory by a geatnro commanded silonco, 

Boknd the cleric, wbo was id chargt* of the eml>«jiey,^ 
deliveret) his uredentialB, we l^arn, iu a manner beetling thu 
envoy of so dofiant a ohi^f, and with an uttor difire^ard i^f 
the consequences to which his daring expiJScd him. Oq 
being admitted he boldly entered the halt, and advMLced 
with )nng strides towards the foot of the l^apal Chair W)th<fl 
out any mark of deference or respect to the presence la 
which he atood. In a high voice, the insolenoe of which 
thrilled the oaaemhl&ge with indignation, he ordered Oregoi^fl 
in the name of his master, *' to immediately renonnoo the^ 
tiirone of St I'eter." Turning t^warda the panic -stricken 
ulergy he thus oonbinu^d, " My brethren, I have to announoo 
to yen tb^tt you mnai present yititrselveA beforo th^ ^ii'g At 
the approELching f'>aHt of Penteco8l. to reoeivo a Ph^w frtjm 
hia appointment, as Lbia one is imv known to b« not ft 
but a devouring welf," ■ The tomcrity of tho speaker nearl; 

^ Um» aftht /toman IttiXift Thn {?hc^VKll»r n'ArUiii) d? MoDtor, IBT] 

U4 



Ambassador from the King 

drbw upon Itlmsdf the pnnishtnent whiub, it mtut ha owned, 
he richlj ^leai^rv^. Johu, BiFibop of Porto, a man cf ir&H*' 
ciUr? temiier, roes liaetity fmin Iiib 8oat nod, Forgetting lit hi<^ 
oD^r tLat the Pontic was present, cried out. " St-i^ft him I " 
At once the ol«ctrifieil listeners were ronaed into notion, tuid 
Iho building riiaounded with tho c]&«h of etoel and footioa 
Grititt, AS tho noi^leen with ^rawn eyvcxdo, rtxthod fcrrward Ut 
dispatch the darmg meeadngOT. Tbo Profoot oi Rone, who 
v!%8 in JiUeaduiioe, hearing the clariiour t%t\d belitviiig the 
Popt to be in danger, bur*t into the muijcil chftmber ut the 
h^tnd of hingoldten, who ranged th em wfklvftg round the throne 
&iid prepared to defend it mth their hvea. It would have 
been Ridmid's litst huur on earth had not Gregftfy, with 
an agiUbj' which, cvnsidenng hie age and weakneae. was 
reDt«rkable. Pprnng ftom his throne and gone to hie naaiet- 
iwcv.' Making a lauc for UinieeU' htstweeo the gJtoming 
avrord«, bo placed hid spare form before that of the cleric, 
and thas for the eecond time reecued ^n cmisBaty of bin 
^nvmy Irom a jnetly merited punishment. With nphflod 
hfttid h« ocmm&Dded silence and appealed to their senao of 
J11MM6 not to wrvalc their vtngeunce upoa 4U uuiirm<td man. 
Having by h\» Authority succeeded in restoring theaadieoce 
to H ricmbtaoue of order, he prifceeded bj a few worda of 
counsel to moderate their anger And calin their excitement. 
Eol&ud, who bikd prepared for LOBtaut death, stood aediaojed 
&od abaahed before thein all, overcome Dot bj the menacee and 
theateniag geatures of hia foes, bat by tbc intervention of 
the Pope whom he hod ao groaely insulted. Costing a lock 
of gratitade a&d entreaty at tbe pale, but kind face of 
Gregory, ho ahppcd away amidnt the f^enurul oonfuajon 
nerer again to b« the enemy of tbe good old man to wbosu 
magnanimity he owed hi* life and iafety. 

"Mychildren/'Hiidtherontiff.RflhediiriniHsedthafliiHembly, 
"let not the peace of the Chunsb be disturbed Beliold, we 

' L«tuiv delivend «i thtf opciiiAf of Ui« Pr««bjteriaii Dirioitj Hall 
b>- N. M*Uiaja«l, D.D. 

E t45 




CO or" 



Matilda, Councess of Tuscany 

lire tt in tho9« dangcrouB timoB dpoken of b7 tho Soripturo^ 
vfaoa ia4]u sball bo lovers of tliomfio)v«e, gr&odj^ proud aa<3 
diHobwlient. It i» in^ceeBary that etaJid^Jfl oom», uid tb« 
Lord hftth WLid thnt He e&ct ii« fortb as elveep to tho mid«t oi_. 
wolves. We muet be as wise as A^rpente, but ^so aamild i^| 
doves. We mtiat hfittiQC one, but bear with tbninttdmvti wKn 
will violate the law of Gud, For a long time/' uiDoluded 
Gregory, " we bave lived in pence. It is tb*» will <if God that 
the barveet ehaU agam be w&tered with tbt^ L>!oud of Uj« 
sainte. Let iis prepare fiir mart^dom^ if need be, for tito lov^j 
of God, vid let nothing separate UQ from tbo charity of Ji 
Chriet." 

The Synod met again n«xt day, and on tb« entranoe 
Gregory rose en maaat^, greeting him with lotid ovationa 
uuDgled with proteatatioui of auger against the autbora oiH 
the recent unlragea upou bin p^rrtoo UDd aathonl^. BttbLnc^B 
aod Mjttilda were a^aiit preeeot — tbe laat time tlml the 
formtrr ever graced a |iublio asaembluge of ber rriuiidit> ^M 

AH eyea were turned upoD tbe widow and ber beautiful* 
daughter aa tbey knelt to rocnive tbe PoDtifical Heading for, aa 
relativctt of the Gorman Kbg, tbuoccaeiiouof thoraocting wua 
a sadly peruoDal on«. ** Great was tbe sorrow/' reoorda tbd 
eympatlietic Donizo, ** of Beatrice and Matilda who, always 
regarding the Holy Father with reverence, viewed with 
horror the perfidy uf tbe proud monarcL/' ^^ 

Tiie letters of which Rotatid bad bean tbe bearer wci4| 
diaouaaed by the CoUDcil. but not with that catmueaa and 
daliberation which goneroUy charueterifiedaac^abaaon^lioa^^ 
that which wae ao-w oonvoned. Gregory's habit of soim 
reatiaint made hini appear tbe only pereon in that vaat 
coacourM wholly uumovod by the proL'^edings. With a 
idiuple goatnte he at once commanded their attention, and 
having quitted their protests of an^or against tho insuhd 
ha had received proceeded to the buntncsB arranged for tho 
day, Thia inoindcd the paBaiog of a law whioh enacted Umt 
tbe title of Pope ahoutd bo rceorvod for tbe Head of the 

146 




Matilda*5 Stern Sense of Justice 

Cntholic Chnrob nod Hhnt no one abntild be nllow^] to tftk« 
tlut uftioe for biiDAelf or to Apply it to anyone Imt tho 
Sor^TBi^i Pontiff" 

H*nc«fi>rUi tUe succewor of 8t Petar alone was to bft the 
CoDOmoii Fftther of the fnitliriil of aU tongues, and in all l&nds 
th<» ono ttKvphor<t of the Abeep confided to hU CAre by <i]vme 
AQthority, And for whom ho was reBponaibio before tbo throao 
of God, 

Ero tho CoDQoil di>p«riod thoy tinanimowaly voted a 
ooDfinnAtioD of tho Bentenee AlroAdy po^md apoa Henry. 
AgAin^ but thi« tim^ intb a ring of bop»!eegneee in bi>i votoo, 
did tho Pontiff At th^ir reqnost repoAt the words of the 
ban. 

To ono IjAtoner Gregory's tones, ortlinArriy bo loving And 
tmd(!r, bt^At ti[ioTi ber onrtt witb tim r^vt^rbnniliuTi iif Uitimlt^r, 
and fioumled the deatli-kucJI of all ber liopea BeAtrioe lAt 
PaIo and Btlent, a pictoro of stricken grief ond ahAinc. Her 
head was bowed and her hands clasped in BnppIicAttcns to 
HoAvoD for ropont«nco and forg[ivcno6a for her misguided 
nepbow. She wqa horrified At his oondcet and humblod to 
tho OATth at thu AOAthoman hmnched a^iost him by the 
CSmrdi of which ho wab eo unworthy a member^ snd whose 
aatboHtyhe bo openly deOed, TI19 shadow of bis dSn^Aoe 
clondod her remaining days, and ae the ecathing wcrdn which 
BeparAted him frum tbt* OliUT'eh of his fathers fell from the 
unwilling lipti of Gregory. " tbey Bent a ehlll to h^tr tieart 
from which nhv uevar Tetuver^Hl." 

Fsr different feelings, huwover. Agitate>d Matilda. Her 
wArm Attachuient to th» Pontiff was minglod with '^ gratitude 
lowAfda bim who etretohed out hiB hand s^inst the foreigs 
joko^ and who could dash it to piecoa by biB anAihemaa."^ 

She bad not yet lonraed that lesaon of toleraneo for the 

dsfocte of othere which oomafl from mature yeAre and 

axpcrienoa Her Ntora sense o£ ju«tie« reeoffniJiod only tho 

fltnon of tho Bout^ooe pajned upon her eousiu, and aba 

^ U. Ab«l Frani^M VillAnuta 

■47 



k 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

ijiaoeniod tberetn nolliiug of floveniy. Sbe aaw iu Qeoi ^ 
ttct of rotttlijiiion against a merited rebuke frntn Uid Duly 
F«tber a frwih mitanee of Oennan aggrcBsion. and Iho pride 
of bfir race wae wouoded to the quick by tho proftuitty of 
hie coDd act— €0D duct unbocoouDg id a kin^ ond a ChrifttiAo. 
Hifl high-banded bolUrviour rovived the reuiombratico of the 
indignitice bor mother had eiitferod and which nho borsoU at 
a child had shared at tb© hauda of the latd Emperor. 
Agnefif too, though ehe bad smce bitterly ropOEtt^d* had 
ri>)low«dtbd Baindlineof antagoDism to thd Cburob. She,afl 
Regent a? Germany, had attempi.ed ti> tbniKt an aati-pope of 
her own cboodng into Uia Chair of Saiot Peter^ and ftFatilda 
thought with hitternefifi of the sacrifices which were ret^uirecl 
of her ere the aacrJieglous deeigo was fruHtrated. She 
retaembered that her brief girlhood had loBt its etmehine by 
the marriage Bhe had entered upon as aq unloved btideaflthfi 
price of her etcpftthcr'a dohvcranoe of tbo F&^al Throne* 
Before her rose the familiar forma of her people who had 
fallen in tbo battle&eld in defence of tbe Holy .So*?, and bet 
brow darkened at the remombrance of tht uuilWinge thoy 
had endured She pictured the bright fucew whoxo wcTcom* 
ingBTTiileH wonld greet her no mnfi* on earth. Her mood 
softeneJ, and tears ai regret obliterated fur a lim*? tlw 
sorrowful vision which would novtr bo entirely eifaced. As 
theac^ phicful memories quickly surged (hrongh h*r br«in 
Uatilda raised her bowed bead ood her glanco fell npoQ the 
blight figure of the Holy Father Her wandering thongbti 
were recalled at the eight cf the Teucmble Tonttt} who hftd 
been BO ebameleesly outraged in hi& cflice and in bia person, 
and whose asstulant wae, aa ehe was aware, held fa hoDonr 
at the German Court. Sbe became filled with a livaly 
indignation agaiuet tbe moGarch who could countenance snob 
ft oowardly attack upon the Head of that Church nji which be 
proft^ssed to be a member, Hih unfilial trnatmeut of the 
Holy Father aroused witliin h«r the rusentmeut which had 
been uDconaoluualy, even to beraelf, alumbenng within ber 

<4S 




Matilda's Reminiscences 

brdfkfit for yenTB. It was iiupot^lblsr eh& felt, to regnrd with 
nay ■cutimeiitfl but Ihose of ropmpiiiDce a pmo© wbo hud 
proved himself a atrnugvr to all feelings of virtne, religion or 
honour. With this entiinstion of his cbars-cter Iklatildii 
ftDttcipfttecl a cuatiuuatiou of the aiLflrtleg;ous Aot8 whirh hibl 
hilhtirlo marked his reigu— « forobodiug vrliich suheequeut 
events fiiUy jufitified. 

There wa^ an iQcliaAtion on tho part of the Uouncil t/.- 
include in the excommunication llujae pr&lMot«. pncnta and 
ttbbota who had apponded their signaturoa to the letter of 
dopositico at Worius, To thi^ tanggeetion Gregory, ulv&y* 
roftdy to pardon, ^ould Dot give hia consent. Uo wad nn- 
willingf he ooid, *' to deprive them of the hcpeu of reoonoitia- 
tion ft&d foripvenees, Mauy of those who had sub^fcribed 
bavo heeti made to do ao by force, or have yielded to th& 
preMnee of the King or the menaoes of fh^iir fellow-preUt^ti. 
They will. perchAiicij* he viHited by rvputituncu and ho raady 
to atk pardon. For tha§e; therefore, we will leave them tilt 
ibe foMit of Ssint P«rter, with the condition that, if they hnw 
not before that tinm, either in their own peraona or by 
ouvoys, made iuitahio «ati»faotion to qh, they thidl then bo 
d«priTdd of their epiacopatoa" ^ 

' L^ ofOrtffory Vlh M. Abel Franfoia TillmiaiD, 1814 



149 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



CHAPTER VII 

"Wh«n fiftin and An^iah vHng thobroir 
A miautoriiLg ild^cI thoa 1 

I'be jilaibtive voit^fi iilan« tfie liA4n^ 

S^0 but tlie *i?iEt^ maD.'' #armuMk 

Oreoobt wa« corrdct in hia Anticipation of the roAotioit wfaEdl, 
vooldfoUowLl]eliaAtjri«i]Jil!-ii(lviBdcldcciaioDorihr"CotincLl' 
of WoTiDs, Erd tbo Biitiog ot the S^uod Uad auU^d Aev^TAl 
of the Bishops repented of tiieir ruh «ct omd sought from th« 
Pontiff the ftirgiveiieaa he was ao Auxicoa to bedtov. Unwill- 
ing to deal har&hly with tho romaindor who, pcrhnpe, were 
Afraid to utow their «rror, the Fope eztonded their time of 
gr&oe which had expired in Judo. Ho dfto eadvftvourod to 
prepare the way for reeonciliatioQ with thoee already uildev 
the ban of the Churoh by letters to the BiAho|>« ro(;Q9«Uiig 
them to be lenient. In a letter addressed *' To the Germans, 
BtehopB, Dakefl, and to all who (]<?fend rba Chmbian Faith," 
Qregory thiie oontinnea : — " With raapeot to tlioaE^ who havs 
beeu oXGomrntmicatt^d I well reifjllecit that I havo ^v&a. 
permisei^n to yea whodefeitd the Clinatian Fattb* M BUhi 
ought to do, to ateolve them, and I etill confirm the eawoi pro* 
vidtMl tbuy readily rcpunt and hamblj do pccanoc Utvob at 
liaur«ntoon the third day of the NoDoe of September 1076." ■ 
While the Poti tiff woe by hia ulomeney endeavouring to ro- 
calltbereballif^UHfictrmFin preliit^^s to a esnee of thuirduty, bli 
fnendfi in Tu^eany were in acire diatresa. Matilda was lodeod 
overwhelmed with aorrow at the raplij declioe in baalth of 
her darling mcther and cloi^eat cijinpanioQ. The Booaitive 

■ B«loatioa <if tbe Lctton of Hildcbt&nd, Tr&afltat^d by G, Fiiufa- 

ISO 



Illness of Beatrice 



spirit of Beatriae h«Ld beon crueh^ by the oonfirm&tioi) of 
the eenteDOe ag&iQst her Dephcvr^ and on heir rdtum from the 
cotind] ahe fell into a daclina, from the effeuts of which Mho 
graflually ^aok, " Her friul existence," recorda the faithful 
hifltoriAn, "coiild not regUt^ nnd the sorrowful ti&iod folloived 
her lo her hwt hour," 

B^ «««/ Hbigffs Mntitdft cAQSed the denr inv&lid to be ood- 
Tejdd to A fthelttfr«d vaUcy lying hctwceii the? pUi&A of Lttcca 
Ofid Piaa, nbont thrjiie miJee diatont from the latter city, wh&ro 
wore» sitojitcd the RL>mtui batttn. It was <k lovdy spot nmidst 
oliTo mad ohcgtoat troos. nud BcAtrico boriolf bad hopeft that 
the mildueae of the cUm^te and the mddimnal wat»m i^t tho 
apringn wo»ld restore a little of hor lost vitality. 

Matilda ioclnd^i omoug h^ir vamd uttaiumGDta the art of 
Qtmicg which the prftotiHod abnoit t^aily aniaiig th<» aiok 
poor. Now alie scarcely ever quitted her molher'a side, and 
by her min intra tioiiit and devotion ilid all that wrh ponmjble to 
defer tlje Iniivitable hour of parting. The iuvigoratiug air 
at firat ncumod b» revive the Fiincesa. For a time shu rAllied. 
and Matilda waa in hopes that Heaven had ^rajjtad her 
petition fr^ her mother's recovery. Bitt Beatrice had been 
atrickeu too deeply* her i^entle spirit ennk beneath the blew, 
aad her daughter rcidiacd with a pjbn^ of a^ocy that ehe 
w6Ti1d ere long be left to tr«ad tb« path of life alone. 

^hilo thus onf^ropsod by her sad duties Matilda received 
information that her husband, wbo was at the time * meditat- 
ing a projecrt against the Pope," had been severely wounded 
and lay at the point of dc^th, Godfrey, who inberit^ tb« 
couni^f and nclf'iriU of hia race, was. iti epUe of his phyaical 
deformily, of an ambitjoos and wor-Hke nature. Ufa etrengtii 
(if will and diplomatiu ultlU — a rare art tn IhoHu dayw of 
rapid aL:tii>n — mode hioi a useful ally to the Oenuau Court- 
Betook public iiitercat in Imperial affain and waacon-itaotly 
embroiled with those who wore on the aide of the Ohtuch- 
It VM a sorrow to Matilda that he wasifor erer makio^ frcflfa 
plots agaiofli the Pontiff, and it wa4 only by her nrit^rated 






Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

pKjorB <m hia fcobalf tb^t Le bad not abarocl m tho oxooi 
motiio&tioa of tbe mor& culpable Hvary. After b^i 
involved in oninberteBH dieput^a Godfrey wa« ii.ttv;lM>d m 
AutiTorp one nigbt by & foltover of Count Robert of Flandonf^H 
Tbe AfiKriai^in ^ed^ leuWng hin kuife in the wnLind whiob failH 
unerring hiind ba<) inllictedr and to whiuh bis victixp ulti- 
iTiFitel^' KLiccumbed- Tlje unfortunjite-Duke^ in nti heicodsciouh 
condition, waa conveyed with all pirssible apoed to hia pftlace^ 
and messages were eeut to appriso bis wifo of the accident. 

Matilda^e Luart was torn betwuen the coulliotii^g oiUis 
tiliaL ftud crFnjngnl Jiitiee, and if she had yielded to her adc 
tions sb« would have reouuued with her mother. Aft«r 
short bnt dec.iaiv9 conflict with her inclinittione eho doeai^^ 
that Godtrey wae io moat need of her presence, for be was 
without the relt^ous conaolatioua which solaced tho dying 
CoTiuteas, and wbiob robbed denth of its terrors. Nor waa be, 
like Beatrice, eurroiinded by loving friecda who would ^ 
miuifiter 1o hia wants ^iid anticipMte bis wiabe& Hifi aeheni^l 
ing nature^ which comn:iatidf]id fur hint i]n^ ailmiration of his 
countrynnjn, had uut, as Matilda waa aware, wun their alTee* 
tton, and it wiis the thought of hia loueliaci^G in aufTonsg 
which decided her to go to hia aeaistauc^. ^1 

No period, perhaps, ftf the hiatory of the Groat Countos^' 
throws out in bolder rolit^f the iunato tenderueaa and heroism 
of her oharactor than does this spontauecue reaponso to tbaS 
claims of pity. It was a test of oourage which she steod^ 
without shTinking, although it involved the sacHfloe of what 
she held moHl dear. To such a devoted daughter as Matilda 
It tnnat have been exquisitely painful to leave a mt^ther whos« 
lifti was slowly ebbing away, and whi.>He few remsiniog hours 
of oompanionship wore eo unutterably pr^ciuus; ex^^uisibely 
paiiifu] to lose, even for a fuw uiiuutes, the music of that 
loving voice whose accents abe might never hcu' again, and 
to miss the smiloa cf affectioD which wotild aoon be but a 
memory. It Tuquired an cHort of will also to quit the home 
where ab« waa safe uuder tho aholtoring wings o£ matoraal 




Matildas Magnanimity 

love to UDclertoke an udIch own journey — a journey which wm 
not only long and irks^ms, bnt which was attended with !n* 
QODCeiv&blfi dinooiurorb aud fruugbt with peni nt every fttivp* 

To venture all t^iia for one she loved and who returned 
her eateeiQ would be br&ve, but to do it for a husband who 
dialiked her, and wtio woe m bitter i^ppt>n«nt ot the cans^ she 
oonstd«redpacr«^1,wa8 heroic. Sucb self-abnegatioD demanded 
tt guiierceity af which f«w aoqU would have been caj>able, 
and thi^ extent of which Godfrey w^is never itware. 

Mntil(Jti*8 iDovetiiDJittt were invarmhly distiuguULed by a 
promplitudd which marked her sound logic and the energy 
of boT chariLobor Having thorefor^ ruftde np ber mind sB to 
tho rigbt course ta pursue there was uo htbitatioD, artd her 
prepnrtLtionB were faw and simpid. Id thono days when 
people travelled for tho moet pcirt ou horsehack there wetc few 
opportuijitieti atforded for the traueit of mnoh fnmnia udom- ^ 
Tneot, DOT did tb« Counteaa, as the hUtonan quaintly reinarka, jf 
"need those aids to beauty which are now considered ' 
indiflpansahle/' An ^aL^ort fully armtnl and prepared for any 
emergency was the priLcipal requivito, and Mittilda hod 
always jl Ixxly of tniflby knights at lier oummtiiid. 

With throbbing heart she tore heraelf from ber mother^ 
embraces, and knelt at her aide to receive ber blosaing. 
StrdDgthonod by tb^ words of affootton and encouragement 
which fell from thd quivering lipa of tho dyinfc Phnooss. tbo 
OreatCountess, truly a&d nobly "tireat," hastened to oonaole 
hor huehand's last houra 

It is hardly poanible in these days of rapid travelUng, vith 
all tha modem additions to oomfort and even luxury, (o 
conceive the senouBiitsB of Matilda's juumBy. In order to 
^timate tho rnhgnitude of U>e nndertaking it is necewvary ttj 
bnog into conjuderatiou a few of tho naany uhstaclee she had 
to enc^ijunter iu the courec of her travela Among the Urast 
of her di^oultiee may be euumeiated the rough and imevot] 
cooditioo of the nnmado roads, whioh rendered skill in horea- 
mapBhip a necaodty for safe transit "Here. {aU«D rocka, 

'53 



L 




i 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

thcre.dwcen'liiip torxf^nt* iropoded ber path ; now a riTor.deep/ 
brond uiid rapid, mtrnt be oronoed hj a trttil plank qniTering 
»Tid rebrrandiiig nodor th« tnmbliijg foot." Stro&mB which 
Qonld bd fordtd at ccftatu timefl of the ye&r w^rr^ at otbcra 
BO flwolldu hy l^oods thnt tho koroeti were obli^d to awta, 
soroBs th^ swift and daDj^erous ourrentfl. Brir1g«« were fei 
Hbd placed at rare iDtervalx, ftnd iirt infraquenUy thi 
travellers, after losing much time m making a detour 
roach tliem. were almost armid bn LruMt theiti««)Tes upon tl 
dcctk^ed timbers upon whicb they rested. Scmetimee evoa 
etouo-arched etrtiotures were found to be enbirelr broken l>f^ 
the force of the mountaiD torrentd of moltod bdow wbicbfl 
hiirling tb«mB6lTda agmnst Uie eupporta, carried them far 
dovm the river, ^_ 

Suehwere the diffioultios of travelling in the Kiddle Agoa—^l 
difficulties which htntorians of our day depict witbauch vtvid 
reality, And whiuh tlie Tubcuu Princess braved io order to IMh 
with her hufibAod in hm hour of entering. In addition to a)i| 
thene hiiidrH,ni3e8, MatiM;).'^ party had In fnou the ooM and 
psrilfl t4 tLe precipitoLH mouutAin-paHsefi, wher» nnR ffllif9 steo_ 
would send thtim to an inntant and tenihle death, ^| 

Eren were these dingere safely averted there awaited 
tbem others scarcely less frightfal. They had yet to fear tha^ 
chance of falling into the hands of fierce aod ontcl banditJH 
who lay biddi^a iu the imcleared foreaUn and who were mora 
to be dreaded thnn the wild animals who had their lain 
within the dense woods. Above all there remained the dr«ad 
of falling into the hands of He&ry's emieuuriiiis whi> were well 
aware of the rich reward they would gtun by deli^'ering th^H 
Tuscan Frincese into his power. ^| 

Fortun&telyUatildneecHpedthene and other dangers, and 
in the nstoniEhment <if tbe Duke'n attendants* whu hjid no 
intimation of li*?r arrival In Oerinany,i<^Le presented ber»eJr at 
tJie door of her huabaud'rt palnoe. 

She foutid Godfrey still alive, tTmngb wnlfi^riog grnat 
fnym hiic wcmnd, and su ihun>ugli1y prtxiLruted from 

■!4 



A Perilous Journey 



of blood, thftt it W4fl impiMBible for him to live mRny 

Before leftiHng Italy MatiliJa wrote to spprlad the PoDtill' 
of hpThtmhArnVn mm1inp,ntH to l>Ggt1in ApoKLoIiV rtirgivenQtM 
for Uim ulitmldljo ri^pent of tJiesch«mc8 lu vrliicb Utf bad beta 
cDgDged agniost tho Uol; Boo. With the mo^aninaiiT' cf & 
geutrroUHiOQi.wluckliarbourfluofHQlmgof reHeutmeutagftinflt 
ft fdlco fo*, Grcgorj" dcwjifttehcd npervil moesengons wlia 
arrived at the ducal palace soou after MatiMa. bearing not 
oilIj iMHiirADOCA cf a hco and hill parrion, but also hie Pontifical 
UeoeiDg. 

It woH erident that hia wife's uuexpected Tiatt 'wae a 
source of mticb gratificntion to the d^ing Duke. Her ekilfttl 
nnnbif^ relieved him itt ratmy honrs of jmin^ while bet a^^iur* 
nwesof heraympfttbysDnthetldndtTnncjuilliflfdhiHpfrinrbed 
i^irit, Wbf^D ha heard of Beatnct?'^ illtieae, and realised to 
BDtiie eiti^ot wbat it iiiust hnvv cont Ualilda to leave her at 
Ktioh a ihn^t thert^ nwolce within him an intense afT^ction for 
hie noble wife. Aa she tended him with unLlemonfitnitivo 
aolioitudo \w foUowcd hex graceful movemeDta with looks 
that were mournfully patbotio in tboir mute exproiNOfl of 
lOTO and ttigjtjt. 

While ehewip^ thodoathdewe from hor hui»bund'a damp 
brow her tboughtj wor(> turned almost id agony to the home 
whfir^in her mother Ity '' nick uoto d^ath " to far away £rom 
her reach. She pictoretl her on her bed ofeufreriag praying 
Hftavvti to Fpnro her until her cbild'M rrrtiirn, 

Matilda's unK<:<1liP4h nature found an ampli? reward for her 
unftiitclkiiig nclhornncn to duty in the suftening indueace 
which her coaiiiig had upon Godfrey who, touched by her 
unalloyed piety, tnxnod htv thoujcht^ towards the Churcb of 
whom he had been eo wilful a eon. Ho lingered for a few 
daya after hiti wife's arrivah when it bec&tue evident that bia 
ond wns fnct approaching, Thf^n it wdb tliat Maf ilda, like an 
asgel of moroy, ftiltillod hvtr miMit^n, and by hvr cunHol&tioni 
and pmyvm pr^parvd him for Ma path through the valley of 

ISS 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

doBllK Whiapi^riiag in his ear, soou to cIoaq to >«ou]ii1> of cvtl 
words oE ooiimgc, of hopo and r>i comlcTt, eke htihi before 
gUjdng ejee the emblem of forgivencas and eMilTAtion. 
holy oolm stolo over hi* fcaturee. And with a look of anul 
abld Jove and gratittido towarda his wife ho expired. 

The Pontj}}' ho&rd of Godfrejr'a repentanoe tvitb feelingi 
of thnnksgiviDg and g'\ve> orders that the prayers of the 
Chnrch should be olTered up for Ihe floul of her erring cliildL 
He aImo setit a letter addrmwed to the Ot^rmATi Bifihopa tn 
which he wrilee as fijllows: "As to Gottfried we wiah to 
romind you hew unworthy we all are, and that wo will often 
reeatl liia memory before Qod We have forgotten hid hat« 
and our rc*ontmcnt/' ^M 

Godfrey was buried at Verdim bMide his father witb d^^ 
the eolomn ritc^ with whtoh the Churcih cooai^n her childrett 
to the tomb. AfiAooQ aathe obaeqaioswere over the widow* 
CouotC'8* started OD her homewafd journey to Pisa, with 
poBeible apei^d. Ordinarily oompoeed aud deliberate ict hi 
movements, she was now almost beeide herself with ex- 
citemi?tit- Sh& became nervous and agitated, and couauTned 
by a feverish impatpienne to behold her dear mother imce 
again. The tiiaeral aervica at which she had an lately 
assisted brnught Imme to her with startling reality the^H 
inevitable partiug which would deprive her of her loved oq«.( 
What Matilda endured from anxiety teat ehe nhould aft^r aS 
be too late to receive a last look or smile paasco beyond 
deseription and wae nevor eSacod from her memory. 

She redo od horseback in adviujoe of her followers and* 
'^touched by her grief, her pif?ty and her courage* the people, 
frfao knelt down as she paseed, already etyled her 'The 
Groat Countess.'"^ 

Matilda prpfiHed on with all poxBibh'r spaed, ei:pectuig 
flVtrrr tiirn tu he confronted with Heary, or to meet 
detachments of the German nrmy, bent on iulcroopliag her 
paasago. It was strange that hvt did not take thie pi 
'M. AbflJ Fran^la VlHommn, 

156 



ren 



ai^ 






)rc6eu^H 



Widowed 



oppcrtunity of Aecunng the persoQ of h\& couain. Either, 
which ifl hardly posaibte, he hud not h^&rd of h<rr arrivftl in 
Oennany, or tha i^uiokaess of hor Diovemeiitii frnatrated hn 
d^Mgo of ttiTQsiiDg her. 

After chafing at the nuuiorouB hindrances aoJ vejcndouG 
d«Iay§ which met her at Alntoat eveiy step of the way, she 
fdund ticrselt at Ust m her own huudj laad* ller long aud 
haiardoua jonruey was ended, and the weary trnToIlcr, with 
& sigh of relief, wae onoe more clasped iu ber mother's 
emhrocee. 

At the time of her arrival, and almoet meeting hijr at the 
Ihroaholc!, came the envoy of the Holy Father sent in hnsto 
(rem Rome, bearing the Pontifical benediction to hia valued 
vid well-trisd fri^itd. 

Once agniTk, and for tfie last time in this world, Beatrice 
%jul Tifntilds received the Body of th^ir denr Liird together. 
The dying PriuuefcH, with Lllmniued fealuren which reilect^d the 
bippin^as wilhtUf slowly tniirniiired the respon^eA nt the con- 
elusion of the consoling prayeru by which the Ohurch com* 
mcncls ber children to Godn " Shty had need of being fortified/' 
laments the iaithfol Donizo, * for it wae at the beginning of the 
crittia of which she perceived the results thnt abe bad qnittod 
this world" With the foreeight which the preeenoe of 
death renden^d prophetic, '^she aaw her child uh^ne in the 
vrorld. With her dying breath she commended her to the 
boty gnunlinntfhip of the Pope, and committed Rome to the 
ooomgeorherdaiighler. Bhepaseed saintly Irom the world. 
May ber Boal be in P&radiffe" "Reaigii«d JiiuMrbntjnil and 
serenely happy in the presence of tiie Crucifix, and full of 
faith, hopn and love," she fell asleep, her last lingenug gaze 
resting en the bowed fomi of her darling diiugbtLT 

Thus went forth tLe Chri^lun apint of the gentle Beairicep 
learbg a name Lilcc sweet perfnme behind her, and a void is 
her ebild'e heart that no human iiympatLy oouM ever (ill, 
Tbo newly widowed Couotess kif^sed tor the last time the 
irreeposaive lips, which eeemed even then to smile in blessing 

<S7 




tllB , 

4 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



upon hor. And took h.fii thf^wtil of tha bekiTod fMtures iht^ 
would aet uo mor6 on earth, 

Tho body of llcntncc wri«. nccording to her wiftli, Jnid t 
reat Ui tho Cathodro] at Piaa with all the eolomn ceromoiuftl 
of tho ChuToK Ait tho wailing noted of tho Ponitcnlial 
Pfiftlme roae And fell upon tbe o&re of th^ moumc^riL, MftHldft'i 
coarage wae ecoroel}- equal to b^ar the Beixie of losa whic^ 
thront^ned to overwhelm her. It wa« only by * mipr^m* 
«£rort of vill that «ho was able to reatram h&r pemt-np 
emotiona. 

Tl]9 reniauiR tif Beatrice were folluwi^d tu this ^rave by tlie 
poet-chaplaiin, whn^o gnof at tbe Iohs of hw frit'Jjd wne mn 
aagiQonted by the fact that tshe vraa not buried within 
walla of the family caatlo, 

*' A profound melaucholy conenmee me,'' writea Dooiso. 
" to eeo an unworthy town posecsi the body of iny mietreM.'' 

'^Cauoaan i^ pure from all «taij], and a noble p 
Bepalture>" 

' It is not good," be <juuiiitly reniarka, "to aeoh e 
repose in »q impiouA tr«wn where sina are oommitt^d daily, 

<* Tbe greater unmber of my mast«rBordaiued that, at their 
death, ihev hIidliIiI be hurled on the T&mparta of Canoesa." 

With tbtk u(iaelliehneHH which whh tlkt^ very eaaauee of 
Beatricc'fl nature Ethe hiid plaocil no (ibntAcIo in tJhjo Wfty of 
her daoghtar'fi journoy to armsule llio djin^ Godfrey. Rni 
every moment that paeucd rliTnng the pratract^d ahtcBoe 
the child, from whom she wae shortly to be eeparated forer 
in tliia life, waa Ji aoro trial ta her nmtcrnal heart. lo order 
to whiie away tbe tedious heure of expoctancy ehe took 
melancholy interest in oompf^eing her own t-pitaph, of whi' 
tbe following it a fre« tr»usIation s^ 

And new Ik once a Oounbew, 

Li(^ bi'n«Ath t^ji* tombn 

WliMTvr tliuLi Art »y tUiv« pabtmtiaUn for mjr loali* 

15s 



I 




^ 




L 



Tomb of Beatrice 



Thin mHC7i|]titJii MttiilJo, In a<:cur(lmioe villi hor motheHk 
«xpr«*«ed wiflb^pWod above tbv^Kv«. *' With tbeiucoDAkt- 
«ooy of Uio Umeftj" romarkB a moJem bmujrinii, ''which 
aHcnr^d eo strange* a blending of pfigvin and ObridtiAn sepul- 
iure" tbft bod; of Beatricv wod placed in an anoiont varoo* 
pbaguaon whicli waa aoulpturiMl in rctii>f thoi'tiryof I'heBdra 
aud Hippol}^tae. 

It wa« tbo 0tndy of tbiii tomb, coropoMod of Parian 
marhU "* and one of the iifi**t in pnint of wcrkTuaQBhip/' tbat 
ictcTUKtod Nitcolo PiaaiiOiUiuCoTitumporary of OijDAbTio; tliia 
exquisite flpnmnMn of ItAlian skill "wna. the model from 

«liHi]c« be derived tliu pf^rfeulluu uf liia i.'hiH»]-" It W Haid tc 

bavfi loducci) l)ini U.i revert to the arjcient form of afmlptura, 
ttud from it he m Ruppoeed tu havo copiud acvcritl figurea for 
hi» fnmoiu pulpit in tbo B&pt^ntcry at L^sa, 

The BorcopLagve M-aa alttrwarda removed to thd Campo 
Santo, or barial-groimd. whore. aa its name indioatas.thodo^ 
aro btiriod m vacrod varth which v/tut bronght from Mount 
Calvorj.' Tho mauBolouia, which ia on tho iiurlheidojif ood- 
aiderad to ba *^ one of tho mobit itploudid and clii«sicnlly-baautt* 
ful BAToopbugi in tli^ Campo Santo at Pt^a, that matchlofle 
atructune unique amid ihe woudert of ItalJau art." 

Hither iu IHlO.murti thmo i(ev«it hiindrful Aod thirty ycani 
aftor th& death of Beatrice, the remaiuet of the Count^na were 
oonvcjrcd, and ujioa her Uriah woa placed the folluving 
inacriptiou : — 

''IJUAravm poccalni biiio Doidii> tocaia Boati-ii 
In tutua]L» muwii jnceu quit wuitiaia 
A.R MI.XXVT." 

To Mutilda the.' loa* <if hor mother waaiircparablevond her 

' ThiM famou* [^(U4(«r/ iu Pisst '* ixuufccnlcd Ufihe memDfy of thoip 
who hurt cEucrvcd wcH <-f tbvit uuuutr^, Lub.'^ tiuuUoutn Uiecru-cELkdnr, 
"civcD Et« Dime tu cTcri lmri«l-pt>iuid in iwy. It daLn from tbe oiid 
of Lhc LwclJUi cvuLurr. tAviatf boea GuuecxacQ^ bv ArcbMaliop tTlnldo, 
vboi wl>ra tliitPLi from PmmUdc bj adadJa, loAdvd hi* ilftj^-llirM 
Ytvmln vitb f«rtlj vt the Uolj Land aad dcpoaited it In tho plaos now 
callod (Xuipo Q^nUK^ ^ 

<59 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

i»t«Dfta r}«|ith of aflection c«uscct bcr to feci th« i«p«rm 
more ivctilftly tliAD wuuld a person of leaa auao^tibiUtj. Tbejr^ 
had been no oBoouti&tly uoitod in thob (*im» ond iatcr«t% 
th«ir uaTQ»» MorrowH aad ji>ya were the e&me, and « hannoDy oE 
purpoBd had marked ov<iTy aotion of their daily Ut<^ 

Gregory a) ways adt^ressed hilt tecgtby aud prdtuooB l«U«rt 
to mother and child daaJIy, and upon their influeDce h« hoilt 
hie hop^ of recnnciliation with Henry. " I wish that joq 
knev," he wrottt to th^ Empreae/' that we have workt-d for th« 
cftnse of iho Blessed AposLli?, as ulwaya Beatncit A:id MrIiM.'* 
her daiigliter liavu Lakvu part ui^Lt aud divy m oui IftlvuiirK.' 

iDalettortoihernuccBneBhoMayif, " Wc dreiro to b»vo so 
inlervi«w with you, for your couna&Ia are the oounaeU of well- 
beloved sieUre," The Potititi iu anothtrr cpiatlc doclaroa: 
" We det««t Dothtn g ao m uch as eita£;geratio[i and raia ptwacf^ 
but it id in truth we lean with much moro oo&fidoaco upoa 
your coble devotion than upon the promiaae and aapport^f 
all the monarcbe of tho world. That conBdenoe with which 
jonr worda, your aeticna, your seal, piety, loyalty and fAith 
iaspire nsJ" *'T1jc lwi*l doubt upua them/' writee Gregory, 
at a later date of theTnacRn Princesaee, " will bean injaaljc^, 
for both regiird Gud &nd th» intereeta of His Church, and have 
abown lowarc^H ntt n fidelity at all uoeU/' 

It appoarvd oa if the death of the cudy rulAiivo who 
entertuaod or exprenacd any nlitrction for tbc Kirj^HWt>jit 
away the laat barrier of reatraiut, aud trom henceforth ho 
mshod h<»dloDg upon the coumo whioh wae tiltimatelj to 
prove hia ruin. Ever ainco the ieane of tht^ exGommuniccitaoD 
he bad nkaintatnbd a bitter pvriiOQal diatike to Oio^ory, and 
•ought by every meane in his power to coUDteract tbia io- 
fiueoicft, The Biabo]ja aad oli>rgj' who were oonspicuotia for 
their adherence to the l*ontJfl wer<* impnaouedor exiled ; tbeii 
Seen and lieninGctiH remoitivfd uiitilloti, the r^v^nara being 
applied to Renrj''* privy purse. The livea of Rn£>eTioni of 
monwlio inatitutiona were, acocirding tuhiatoriaoa, embittered 
and baraaaed by tho constant ezactiona which were made 



I 




Saxons in Revolt 

uprm th«ir reftAnrcM to supply the exchequer. When, aa it 
hftppened at times tlioir tnu<h became too exhanfltefl tn meet 
tfae Kiag^t dotDAiiiln, the priori were f^^nred to resign their 
offioettotDore pliatit HticcoHeuns nr the biuldujg w>« closed 
•fid tho nxrakfi tarried adrift 

Nor weT<5 Htnry'a lay subjectB in anj belter condition^ in 
■pito of hie promieee to the contrary. Tlie resolutions he had 
BMde at QosUr were Eorgx>tteD aa a <lri;am, and the •ituatiou 
of tho StiKone wn« dcpbrjiblo iD the extreme, '' Ho conti^Cfttcd 
their estates, exiled th&ir uoblee, sold the ptiueaota as aUvea, 
or compelled them to labour ia erectiog fortresses from whiub 
Ilia meroeDary troops might eurb and raTiah the surrounding 
eountry; The cr^ of the oppressed rose on every side from 
ib» unhappy !an(L"' 

The chiefs hppealed to the PontifT m letteis full and 
Ireqnent, and the heart ot Gregory, thiiugb beating in aym* 
pathj with them, was yet yearning with fatherly aoJicdtude 
for the author of all their w-oea. He still clung to the hope 
tliat tiio prodigal might arow uid retrieve hie errors and be 
nelored to the commumon of the Church. By thia means 
only tbo f ontiit wae assured would the and atate of atl^tre be 
remedied* Trusting thorefore to fond anticipations of h4ppi«r 
days — antioipatioiic in whieh no ono else shared — he resolutely 
set his face against any movement on the part t^f the people 
wliw-'h would imptfri] tho crown. 

The Saxons, however, werenot so sanguine; their expL'ri- 
enec of th» mciDarali'N diiplioity wna too deep und recent to 
ftUow them toenlerlainhi^pes that anything would materially 
•fleot bis oonduct or cnufle a scifteniug of bis savage natarix 

Aided by the Dukee of Bavaria and Suabia, the pnnoee 
resolved to nev^rt their indepenclence and make a staikl (or 
their liberties. They drove the Ocrmin ofHoers ioto tbd 
forfauwca and reJc<vacd them only on eonditioQ that tbey took 
nottboevertooMryftrmsftgaanattlieSucoDa. Emboldeiied 
bj tfak Tictey w>d by the opportune tt»Oftp« of Mvoral of 

I Bight Hod, 8tr Jaaic* Swph«a. 
L i6t 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany ^M 

"l^lr chi«f« Trom xh<» tinpriAOumeiit to whiob Henry bad ooq^H 
4gD«d tlwu], they conveoed a ni«etmg at Tribiir en tJit: le^^| 
buk c:tf tho BI1I1113. ^1 

Hear}-, alarmn^l ht tho tiim «vHntH wttro tHkmg,eiif.reriohef1 
liiiTJiielf tti iha Cawtltf cif O|>|ioub«ii£i, uu Uie oLber mJe of the 
river> From theoce he daily Bent embowice to the princea^ 
nouUy to Rudolph, Duke of BuabU, who wu donhly Inn 
broth er-in-l&w, he haying laiirrtcd first the Meter of tho Kioc^^ 
and nftorw^irdA the eieter of Bcrtbo. ^| 

Tho humbled monaKh yroB ready t^ promioe oDythtng. on 
oath if need be, and to farniah ca many hoetagee ae th« 
SaxoniL required, Bnt.ftii they hud nwdly experienced, "there 
W9B no pled^ to whiob tbey cotild bind him who had so often 
promised 1)of:ire God tn amend bis way^ end who, iis soon am 
the dau^(«r w&a paaaed, had brol^en tLrougli all hie promifl w 
like DTpbwehsL" ^^^ 

Tbe Diet waa held ou 23th October, 1070, at which it w^^ 
decidod to oonvtine a General Aeeetchly at some later date. 
Tu this meedug, which was to be held at Augsharg iii Bavada^ 
all the princee of tJic empire were enmraoned, Henry himself 
wao invitcid to bo pree*jnt, sinfut it wae of the utmost iinport^^ 
anoa that aome arrangement ehnuld be oiade before the eJ^H 
pirati'>D of hie terra of exoommniiiQation. 

Although it yet wanted several mouths to the date, tho^^ 
King could, na be was fully aware, at any time receive at^H 
solndon if lie filujwtid ileHire t> he freed frora the sentenca 

To QregrtFj, whn wan ttirtnring hia braiu to devise a 
mefLHd by whiolj Henry oould be brought to aee the danger 
of his foleo positioDi the propoeed meetjQg aaemed full of 
hope. The Pontiff therefore aiinounced hia lutention of pre- 
eiding in person, and after hearing Henry'e reply to hia 
oocTi&erB, te pronounoo a final Judgment This plan of re- 
cenailiation apiritually and politionlly would, he coDQiderod, 
not only relieve Henry from the ban of the Choroh, but even 
bring him to the hightjst point of bis ambition, that of being 
elected and crowned aa Emperor. 

162 




Henty in a Dilemma 

With mingled footings of heeitatioD 4i.ncl rcAolvo, Heor}* 
r^Tieved hie podtiot].]ii wliioh any further riteb m;>T«ni«£it 
on hu part would hitu hid people in fEivonr ot Rudolph an<l 
ftrniab them vitb excuse for rebetliou. ImmodiAte reeon- 
oiliaticiQ with bis nobles, whose aliegiai^ce was abroady 
W0ak«ned, was impemtivo, if he wauld Have bia ncejitre tram 
the gTAsp of bis nval. 

AltKougb be did nut refnse to recognise tbe ikutbority of 
the Diet, some flickering gleam of anceatml pride fftill re- 
maiDcd iu tbe bosoo of tbe King. Something of tlie epirit 
of Charlemagne revived in Kie unworthy deaccndant. and 
made bim shrink from appearing before bia suseraina in iht 
charaotor of a criminal. 

There ^ere other reABona which made Henry unwilling 
to face the ordeal of meeting Lis aooueere in open court, 
HU mind, gloomy ai>d til at eoBe, anticipated \hQ overwhelm- 
mg evidence wbioh iwould be brought fcrwurd by witneiaaes 
wboae probity covid not be dieputed. He entertained no 
doubt but that tbe verdict, hcwever muob the Pontiff might 
palliate its ee^'erity, would bo Against bim. Not Umt hr< 
attached much LLUiKirUuce to a declalou of tbe Church, which 
had pronoimoed bis excommianicatioii, bat be dreaded the 
effect which an advcrec judgment passed upon bim in tho 
pnaeuoe of hia aubjects would hare upon their loyalty, Tho 
diMutrona eonseqtienoes of bid folly and prido st&rod bim in 
thefaoe^eud too late he retvUsed that the hatred aud diatruflt 
ba bad uupirod mt^^ht be the meanB of hurling him from tha 
throDe. 

On tha other hand^ by failing to attend the Counoil^ he 
would appear to acknowledge his ^ilt and alac^ve freab 
cAUHn of i»tTenc« to tb^i PtiutifT This lie tnuJd not afford to 
do, aiuce if he did not obtain pardou ere the end of the time 
of bisprobatioD»all choDoe of wielding the eceptre of Charle- 
magDfi wotild be gone, aud hia already tottering kingdom be 
lost to bini for crer, "' If tbe aun," reniArlui the hifft^rJoo, 
"ahould go dowD on tbe 23rd Fobniary 10T7, and bo 

163 



H Matilda, Countess of Tuscany H 

w«r« DOt forgtv«D, hie crown v&f to be tnusAfcrred to 
aDotli«r." ^m 

Tot noorly two months Uotiry r^m&mod in i^olntioa in bl^| 
pftUoe »t Spina " where he c&t^r^d nc ohnmh ftnd traoflacted 
W> publio bnmTiees." Ddpnv^ of all th« pl^iuurefl and 
wnnaecnents by which be wfl« ftGCVfftomcd to while away 
tho tediouN hours, be became mcro«e and miAeroble. 

BerlbA ill TJiin nought to ch««r the doHpondiiig monarcih,' 
hj drawing hia aHi<rLtiriii To tho ctiann* rrf his litll^ aon. Ho 
nftde DO attempt to confival tliediBlIkehe felt for hiaiiDbappy 
^Qiu«, and rohifliDg all hot efforts to cooeok bun, " jjelde^n 
hjmeclf a prey to tnda&oholj." ^N 

In hia dilemma bo wn>to to bin oouain Matilda, to eDireat 
her iDt^rceaaioD in obtaiaiQ^ from tbe Holy Fatbor indnlgc^noe 
And |>urdoD.^ 

Aftdr evolvinff in hie mind «otne way of »cape from the 
HifficuUiea whioh wero tbe mc^rs fli^rJoua because they were of 
hia <>wti <;reatio£i, he had reGoaree to n scheme as i*r>wArd1y ■» 
it waa hypocritical. " To gain the empire^ he waa now ready 
to become aa humble as he had before beeu firrrgantJ!^H 
Though active submission wae atill far from being HeoryV" 
intention, he Teeolved, for the furtherance of hici ixmbitiouj 
plana, to eeeh a pereonal interview with Gregory. Ha pre- 
pared to thiow himaelf at the feet of the man be bated, and 
to wring from hia aynipatbice that forgiveaesa '* whioh after 
kdaritkg the evidence of a oooncil of acouBors be wotjd be 
vnable to gTfint-" 

It bee been remarked by a Protestant writer that to & 
l^raat and virtuons aonl ther& is nothing liumiliating in coo^D 
feaaing an error. Had Henry therefore been in earnest ui^" 
hia repentance, what a vista of future greatnesa lay open 
before him, Yoaug, hanileome aoil, when be ohoae, winuing 
in apeech and engaging iu mannera. it would be an easy 
matter to make himeelf popular with hia anbjeotB. Secure 
in ^eir love and etrengthened on hi£ imporirit throne by the 

» ** Ad evuKhrinam Maih^ilem miiit," eto_ Donijm, ^U 

164 ^H 




To Gain an Empire 



te-rcaotuDg voicQ of th& Church, he might hAvo commaiLded 
Ihe rcepdot of tb« world. But, ti,\as\ hifl repentiukQe wa6 
ED«relj uenmcKi iw a cloak to oovor hie rooJ desigae upon tbe 
persoD ruid authority of Gregory, 

Beery coald not very veil have choicn a worse time for 
hb enterprise, for the winter of tb&t yeer was unexampled 
for iU severity. Tha Rhine remaiusd chainod by tho icy 
hand of froet from the begitining of Kovember to the first of 
April, nad iha heavy and repeated falls nf nnow reiulorcd the 
croBtung of the mountains wUicb furmed Italy's barrier 
aJnaotfi impracticnUe. 

Un hearing of her hu«bftnd'e project, Bertha made her 
reqnc«t — the iirat, indeed, to whicli he had ever lifltenod — to 
g^ with bixKL She hogged to share his denj^rs and his 
raorlifioatioiis, and to be near liim with their child, the little 
Conrad, In his hour of trial Touched by such evidence of 
love, the depth of which bia selfiah nature oould not fathoco, 
Hi^nry acoupted her offer. Not, indeed, in the spirit in wbioli 
the {irojjuK&l wftH made, but us a posaible int^aua of eucuriug 
mt audience with the Pontiff from whom h© wna even now 
militating meaus tif wrretiiig tlie throne. It was liks a 
paniBkinent fcr Benry'e duplicity that the veiy infant whoee 
life he was abeut to expoue ehould, when arriTed at man's 
tftfttet rebel against so untinttirni n, father 

Aa the tjueen knelt be&ide her sleeping infant on the 
eve of the departure for Italy, she almost regretted that ehe 
bftd vnggested taking him on that perilous jonmey. The 
&aow>eapped motmtainM of her native land loomed before her 
manUl vtdoD with terrible distincttieBSt and her heart aaak 
at the prospect of expesiog her child to what seemed oertaiD 
death- YsKroiug es she did for the sympathy which wag 
denied her on eaHh, her thoughts njiturally turned to the 
onfailiDg sonrco of all consolation. With tears falliog fast 
apOQ the babe's unuonsoiotia form, she begged Heavon to 
protect his precious little life, and prayed that his giuudiau 
ugel " would have oharge conoerning him.'' 

I6S 



O80 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Hot motboHy scltcitailo MtiiMd to draw her n^ror that 
holjr r«Utior;ii)iip whidi God HEmtelf hu^ rrnidered juored. 
She pictured that gentle Mother who had presserliig&iDicther 
luvin^ brniuit tlie Suvitjur of Uio wivrlil, mid whose eiiuirnltiig:^^ 
ariDs had abeltcrcd llim from the cold sdowa which )a^ itpou^' 
Hia diy o( BotliUhtim. U«r terrors vftntahcd, and she tos^ 
from her knoea fortified to bear with patience) whatever trUlflj 
of ahrdDgtJi aud oonriitf^d U7 boFcre her. 

Thf King <]uUted Spirss a few daj« hoforo the cotntncflkt 
mottt of Chrifitmafl, at a time wheu hope and lovo viait tlio'j 
children of Mirth, and when tho hearts of men Ate invited to 
be tender and generous. On the day thut he \&tt the city 
th« inhalntantw, anior^ whom the newe quickly spread, came 
to the doorB and windows of tlit^ir Itouaea to witness hia 
departurei Respect for thoir Queen, whose a n obtrusive pit tyj 
aod r&QOwntid parity of life had eudeared her to all claaaei 
alone prevented tbem from collecting in the etreeta or from 
making any public dDraoustralion. They oould not help 
feeling pity also for thcJr handaomo young Kin^ who, with^^f 
lowered head nod downcast minti, wae thus fitcs^liug away 
&om the empire whose crown he might have graced. Bet-th^ 
was so engroBsedin watching the Qullen visage of her lor(1p:^| 
whom she longed to eonBole, that she had no thought for her 
people. Had she remarked the evidences of love wliiiib thus 
showed themselvea in that silent sympathy, her sad lot would] 
have been cheered by a ray of comfort in her hour 
iorrow* 

In order to be sure of eluding the Tigiknoe of His onemie^^ 
Ueniy was forced to make a circuitous route through 
Burgundy, intont^ng to oroBa tho Alps by the Jura instead, 
of following the more direct way. 

On arriving at Vevey,on the Lake of Geneva, bft was mel 
by Adelaide, the mother-in-law alike of Rudolph and ofj 
Henry, whose harsh treatment of her daughter led hfet it 
regard him with Wthmg and dislike. At Sri^t she roftised 
U> giant him a passage through hor territoryj hut the sight 



i 



Crossing the Alps 






tn\ wife, with lier Infant claap^ to hex broaet 
awokfi her ciwt) motherly feelings^ and ahe yieliled to the 
r€qac«t. But BextWs brother waa not so forgivuig, aud, 
oouaidenug U<)Q£y aa an enemy to hb house, wa« not diepoeed 
to Jet him pass without paymont. Not until he had ceded 
fivo Bargundian bishofrica, the r«venii£« of which he hndfor 
yoarc appropriated to bJa own tise, did the iinpAtieat Henry, 
chafing ftt the unexpected delay, obtain the required 
pcnniKsion to crow the frontier. 

Adelaidef who viewed with grief and anger the deplorable 
uJitifjn to whiuh her djv^ighter wns rediired. resolved t^ 
'dlUB the mitniJtainouH jonrney in order to b« At her edde in 
the hoiir of dnogcr. By her [ire^eiioe nitd maternal caru she 
ooald auatain the fainting Queen and iaaplre her with hope 
tuid coonigc in the JibwtuI scones through which oho wae about 
to p&a«^ 

FroTD Vovoy tho trnvollers, taking the rood of St Maurice, 
crosved Uie Rhone at Martiguy and were eoon at the foot of 
tho Alps. '*Tte fearful journey from St Maurice to 5t 
Bernard, a distance of nearly forty niiloa, waa ^afuly acoom- 
plidhed by the royal party/ who followed the Aajoe passage 
of the St Bernard which was made in 155 by an ancestor of 
the King, who croase'l with nn army of 30,000 men. "ThiF 
routf* Afterwards became mnch more fr^(|Udh1(?d from in- 
crcioAod intorc(TDr»o with the papal crmrt. PerfwDM of ftLl 
aexee and cotidttioiie fiom th« m^rtb of Enropo used it to 
crofs tlxo Alp^. which wore of no frighlftil a height that the 
attempt waB always attended with riak. evco in tiie aummor. 
It wins now the very ht^^rt <if one of the moet ngorouu aud 
lengthened winterB rooorded ic hietory ; the nairow pro- 
oipitouB aheMug patbi out h«re and there in the rocks and 
mountain* of Switzerland w«re ao obetmoted by enow eaoh 
day accumulating, that the very face of Xatore wa« changed 
everywhffre^ and it had h«coine periloua to tnivel erxtn Mhort 
<liHtatio«& . . . A funeral pall," oontinnesthT^graphichifitoriAn, 
apraad in dn»ry whiteness oTor oncb object a« tliey 
167 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



n 



^ 



ftdvaneed mto the AotemD defile of Bt H&iiriee, itut bkmI 
iMgnififtiTTiT of NfttxtraV porUlH ! F^t cntxftQoe to the wOd 
kitbgdom of thftAlpfl, whoflQSftvage grandeur iiunlocka in tbtf^l 
■tertWd si^hl . . . The roaring torrent — ih« murmur of Lh6 
oOvvr caaeiid»— the checrroJ toondi or life in man— in bird— 
i& bea«t — all vore stilled ; the eileaoe of d«oth reigued 
•ronnd them.'"' 

Although biflWriaos maj ditfor id thoir opinioti of the 
eaoiee or motives which took Heniy to CaaooBs. they &re all 
ef^reed in their deeonptiom of tbo horrora vbich attended 
bJa hjhplees exp«dtdon. Writers vie witii each other ia 
rwwnnting the thrilliog ttc^nva nnd hurhre»<)&h e>NGa|)c« 4if the 
GerniAn King tlnnng this long and l.uiUoini; |xLN>uige to Itatj. 
" A^aiu and again wero this miacrAble part^ iu ilAo^r of being 
bnriod in the anov ; *g«iii «nd again had they to toU Tip 
prec^ioea •« alippery ae gUea. where oae fjftJee etep would 
have plunged thi^m into a yawniag abym. Sometime* a 
solid wall of ioe roee op beforo them and the gmdee with 
their hatchcle oat stops for thoir feet^ Whon (he mcD had 
reuched the summit the Qiieeti and her oiuld were tied up in 
hides and dragged tip to the top with ropes and let down ia 
a aiuiilar maEiimr over the other side. Some of the attend* 
ajit« lobt their Hv^fl id this dreadful rocte and others loflC 
their limbe from exoeasivcs cold."* "And now," to nee the 
words of the former hbtoriau, "nearly 9000 feet alwve the 
leveJ of the eeo — aiiaponded between heaven aod earth, ex- 
posed to the outrageous hlaete of winberp where nobreathiog 
thing bat man can pertQEVneutly exist — where the froso 
ground refuses to shoHer the dead — where no eounda break 
the Bilence of this living grave but the awful vodoe of thunder, 
the howling of the winds and tbo croah of falling 
bkvalanchee leaping from precipice to precipice, they had to 
front the horrors and dangers of the descent, tenfold greater 
than thone they had hitherto surmouuted/' 

^ BUtorietU Pieturci of the }lid(iU AfftA. lflS4. 

J-Lwturaon^'KiIdcbnicdiindHUDfcyi." RM^MicluwI.aa 1$M. 

I6ft 



Matilda Advises Gregory 

The ardnoos task wax &t length accompliahed, ami mora 
dead than tihvfi the part^ Gommeiiced the de^ettt iDto the 
TaUo^of Aoata. The green alopes were gladly liailod » a 
gratofiil change frnm Uie precipitous and glauial mountain 
paa^M through which they had lately oome. "It it im- 
poembl« to oonceiTe," saye Sb Jatnee Stepbeo, " the suSericga 
whiobthctrftv«ller9, cfipeoially the women and child, endured 
dmifig their irauait over the mouutaiort. The wonder ia that 
they 07or earriTod the horrors of ao eicpeditJOD eo teniUe 
and to ueeleeB," Alaa» that to niueliBn^i-'riug and -^stpoaure to 
p^L ibould end in iQtliire^ And thnX su^^h h&roic uxertiona 
should have do better result than a hitter, hanutiug ntomory 
of defeat and ehamc. It coald not be otherwiae. since the 
jWWVfy waa uiideTtnkeu in no inie epirtt of atMnemeitt, 
but was all part of a eham contrition aeeutnud by a 
hypocritical King to gain his own ends. 

]i in diffioalt to coiiaoive why Henry nhonld thai have 
risked hie own life aud that of hta heir, instead of seudiug an 
onvoy, iiince hxn (lahmisaion wm only imaginary. Certain it 
ia that had tho Poutitf undertaken the jouniey to AugBborg, 
•• be intended, hifl life would have been forfeited by the ex- 
posure to Bcivere oold, 

Matilda, who was aware from peraonal experience of the 
diaeomforte and dangere of the route, realised the risk en- 
tailed to Gregory did be attempt the pneeage at cuch an 
ioelament leaaon. She did her utmost, but without avail, to 
dlBBiiadtt bun frinn the step. With graphio pon Hhe placed 
before htm the difficnltifw and perils of Uavelliug acroes the 
mountaine at hie age aud iu auoh terrible weather. 

The PontifT howevoT. woe bent upon proceeding on hia 
mimoD of peace and reeonciliatiou. A lofty reeolution 
nerved hie apostolic aoul and rendered him oblirioiiflto ftU 
ecocideiation of eelf. la viua the Cardinals, with tearful 
eatreatiee. Implored him not Co quit Home, lu Tain did they 
point out to him the lois the Church would euetain et auch a 
eriaii of her history by the death cf eo oi^ble a aoreieign. 

169 



Matilda, Councess of Tuscany H 

Ho roukftincd doAfAJiko to argamcoU, prayOTa, and ftpp^ftlv. 
Hu dauQtloaa n&turo tiiumplitid orar tho i«ard of bis fri^n^ 
&ad overroldd all theiv obJeotiOQfl. Hd rcmiaded them that 
tho moro IndciBMit th« M440ti tbo mor« n&ed thera wng to lo^ 
no tirao fn fitting ont The untiivi^mary of the excoio* 
muDication vnm drawing wttry ocidr. and the Pontiff hftd no 
wish that b; any dcUjr od hiit part the King idioald forfeit hia 
crown. Ue deemed no itacrifice of comfort or he^Jtb or oven 
of lifo iUelF too gre^t if, by the joumoj' to Germany, bo oooid 
bring peace to the diatraoted cotmtry, torn alike by temporal 
and Kpiritnnl dtiMonxio&e, 

Bef&re Itjariiig the dty Oregoi^ addreesed a lett»r to tho 
Gorman princeVtinformiD^ them of bin approaching vifiit,tto<l 
ooDOlnding asfoUowe: — ''I, Pontiff, Servant of the Prince of 
ths Apoatlee, in oppoaition to the advice of the Hoinaiis^como 
unto you, tmflting in the meroy of God Rnd your own 
catholicity, ready to suffer death for the glory of God and 
your Halvation, for our conHolatioii is throogh much trihnb- 
tion to arrive At and to reacli the Kingdom of IleaTei)." ^H 

At the end of December the Pope, escorted by n noTuber of^ 
knightB and a retinue of men-at-arms fumifihed by Matild^^ 
tfiarted on hia miaflion of pacification. ^H 

At Floreaoe be wae joined by the Connteas who, finding 
him doterminod on hia jourooy, " attended the papal progr^^fis " 
and took peraonal comtnancl of the cavalcade. Animatod 
with a bnming deeire to reconcile the King with the Chureh 
and hiB people, and buoyant with belief in the sncoeBs of hi» 
intervention, Gregory was nnconsoious of fatignei, although he 
had already bravereed nearly two hundred mileg. Ho wafi as 
ready at Bixty*four to facia the Alpine paaaea as he had been 
tliirty years ago^ when he followed htt^ [)ntrou and namesake 
into exile. "You know," *aidle, ' how that, yielding to force, 
1 cTOBBed the mountains with my Lord» Pope Gregory." But 
whon moaring Mantua fatigue Lad begun to tell upon the 
weakened frame of the Pontiff and, overooma by cold, ho 
decided to tqb% en hie arrival rvl Vercfilii, ^h 

t70 ^M 



Gregory at Canossa 



n<t bitd ecftrcel/ TAOched tfcat FiednaontBee city, and 
MatiJdft '' VM CYon dow poi&tiBg ont to hor ^Eird£ their line 
of march through the eoowy peake which cloeod in hor 
northoro bonsoEi/ vbeti tidioge reached blii^na of the rapid 
appro&ob of Henry. 

The wary GonnteBS, who had from th© ^loramenremeat of 
the jcurasy ke|(t atnct watch upon the pervoual safety of 
Gre^ry, now redoubled h^r vigibncje. 8h« diatniated her 
ootuin'a motivee m coming thither tit snch a time, the object 
of which she feared was an attack tipou tho person of tho 
Pontiff^ With tbe pracantioo of an expcriencod warrior, ehe 
sent roeaeengera in all diroctioitA to reportupon the movi^meatB 
of the Kiug, and to ^thar from thom somewhat of hia inten- 
tion. These returned with the startling information that the 
wholv of Lombardy wftA much excited by Ben ry'e presence, 
and that numbers of clergy and nohlea who had inclined the 
displeaenre of the Church were flocking to hia atanrlard. 

MatUdit bof;g<fd the PonijflT not Uy contiuue the Journey, 
which the Ei^ig's coming had rendered UDnoceasAry and 
dwLgeroua. Sho wlvined hitn, for prudenoe aaki?, to retire to 
her oju«tlc at Canossa, which " had proTod so often a lamparb 
against German oncroachmenbs/' The fortre»a wa£, as ehe 
waa aware, etiong enough to reviat any force that tbe Kiag, if 
be were on tbe otfeuaiTe, might bring before ite walla, einee 
boiojo^ near the northom frontier of her pos£eB£ionBr it waa 
ever kept in readiaeea to withataud asaault If, on tbe other 
band, Henry's tntentiona were peaceful, it wonld be easy for 
Gregory to retrace the abort distance between Canossa and 
Veroelli 

Tlie PondfT, more to relieve the fears of the Princess than 
for any dniibiiif hiM own safefcyjCoiiseiitEMl tu her p]-o[ri«alani! 
rvtired to the castle. Hero he found among the maoyfrioods 
aaaembied to meet him Hugo of Cluny, who had ocme to 
confer on mottcr« icljiting to his monawtory. 

Hugo atiil rtict^uiuuJ the same *'humb[e< modeet and 
mortified " monk as when Gre^ry sat at his loet and drank 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

10 hie vofda of irodoin mud of piefy. Tbe promotioD whiob 
hidooow to othttn, ramrkA hiA biographer. paaQMl him by 
vonotiow] and be remiioMi aimply Abbot of Ciuny aotil bis 
doftth- Thu kftp^Miied hi 1100, wfa^n the vsoentble fiftiat, 
iuvirg ffurrived hii ptipi] Pontiff and two of hia flncoeeaora 
in the Chair of St Petar, piJMil to Ui vward at the ripe 
ag« of 6^" ^ 

WItli that OTeHlowhg iplrit of cAiarity for wMch be vw 
rvmarkablo, Hn^ yi-arni^d o¥i3r the prodignl whom lie had 
hdi «a an infacit iu lua arnia. Dnjiiig hla converAation with 
Crcgory bo xmad a|] thi; argnmontfl in hie power to ludaco 
him to receive tbo monarch who had come no for and in such 
hnmblo gniiSe Ut make ameDds aa tbo monk ckaritabZj 
believed for hie foTEoer fntilts. Gregory, whose repeated 
entrwtiea for an interview ha^d hitherto been met on Henry't 
side with sullen jsilence, was not, aa may be auppoeed, anxion* 
now to give him a hearing. Inanffwerto theen*piri^eof th* 
Countess, he hud intimnted that lie would prefer tbe meeting ^ ^ 
to take place in Germany aa arranged fll 

Once oBsured of tbe PontifTs nafety, Mntilila had do rear* 

for her own, and she went forth, accompacied by the Abbot as 

far as Beggio, to meet the royal parly, reports of vhoae 

progTcea and boatility bad been ao alarming, ^ 

■ WilliaiQ the CoiiqD^r»:>r h*d such ik Kigh opinion of ITugo'B BMictxtj^^ 
iJmt lip wrote, offering i hundred pouudn for every inonk hv wi^uld neiid 
from Clnnj tr» Enj^lard. Htit ilie Abbot, "in n letter wliich ia stlii 
nrfaervBdn" replied "he wtrnJd give that enm hinmelf fur«ver> ^nod monk 
Le i^oJd pnrcbue for hlrt mnnr^uiiy, It euiJi a tiling w«re to 
pnrcbAAedJ' 



f?» 




Matilda as Comforter 



CHAPTER Vm 



*' Oc, iia no laam \ thy ponoQi^ Ci'Ar 
A bctT aiMl better lifo U^K^n f 
Gud mul-eth Lheti for flT«r fm* 
Vnui th« doaunidTi of tbjr lic ! 
O0| MQ Qo more ! He viU rtutort 
Tbv ]ieu« tliAL £U«d thj LoATt bofan 
And t>iU<Luu UiJn« iutL|uitj.'' 

To Heniy, the oo^xp^cted meHing with his oouam and 
Abbot Ungo au^red well for tlie succcas oi bin ontcrprieQ. 
H« tnifltod by oulistin^ tboir aympalhies with the Pope, to 
obtaia ad oosj and amicable ending to what thre&tooed to be 
ft teriooB mtitten 

WbiJe the King nrtfolded bU ticwb to Hugo, ibe wearied 
Qnoeo, with a Bigb of relief, threw henell^ into the lovicg 
armfi nf MntiMa, and with her child w>ui foIde<l ngnitii^t otie 
of rnbtf tnietit Aud uublcst hearts that eve? bent lit n^iiipftthy 
with hamaD wo<x With the grace and winoiug mjuitior 
psciiliar to her and which was irrcGmtibfe, ahe attempted 
with womaalf tact to make pcor li«^rtha forgot tha h^rron 
•be bftd latelj ondcrj^one, and by tender attention to her 
BOodi, IttMOoed the Bufferings tho frightful expedition bad 
eotoiled* The Princoes, whoae higbeet ambitiuu it wae to 
give eoloce to others, relieved the anxtetiee of her vieitor^ 
end with that bnoyaacy of irtiad whicli waa oue of ber char- 
aeteri«l&c*>dTew pioturee — which, &!&« T were never realiaed 
^-of bri^cbter da^ to oome. Aware ai the enDtumely with 
whkh H&nrjr treated hia wife, Matilda poarod the oil of 
gCadueea into the woTjnds of the tmiovcd Queto, hj ajMunog 
her tikal her nQawerving Bdelitj coold not fail to obt&in (kip- 

173 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany ^^ 

ber ft full r6w&rd in the ad'ootjon which saob doToticn 

With regard to tUo King'a antioipatiozw of ft fftvoarabto 
•Ddingto hut joum«7, Matilda had her fears, and htr heart 
bled for Bertha. She had nuddrgCDd no much alreiady i& 
iDitirl ooil b'Hlj', in nrdnr that her huaband mi^ht Lave the 
opportunity of pleading hla cnuae, tliat the &}tint««s dar^ 
not vvcu hinl of th<! pomihilitjr of the dja&ppointm«rit which 
nho believed awaited her. 

IIeoT7 vraa agreeably sarprieod and gratified at the afl«o> 
tionftto rocoptioa of hia wife by out hold m high e^.eeiu by 
the Pontiff. B«foro leaving Spirce, and again whoa tiearin^ 
Canoasa, he bad written lo hie eouaaa " to beg her to act in 
bia bvoiiT, and to obtain fviyta the Hoi 7 Fat ho* indufgenco 
and pardon.^' If he had fait any misgivings as to the reenlti 
of hiff aclf-aiT&nged plaia, they no longer existed^ and he 
ttw&ited with the elaatirity of linpe the confereoco which he 
^rmly beliwud wuuld ho iKinHiderahly to bis advantage. He 
had no doubt bub that hiB overtures of raccuoiliattoit would 
be readily aace]>t<;d,ai3it inmied lately on hiH arrival at Reggio 
despatched laesaemgera to Gregory, notifying him <if his 
approach and pacific intentions* "The King." aaid the 
ambasaadora^ **doc8 not mind being judged, he knows that 
the Pontiff will protect innocence and justice." But their 
miseion reaulted m failure, and the orestfatlen knigh 
returned, to the cons ternati tin of Henry, without having the 
ecalE of their credentials broken, with the meaaege tbat 
Gregory ateadily adhered to hia resolution of meeting him 
at ATi^Bhurg. ^H 

AlmoBt in despair at the refusal of the Pope to sdnsit hiitf™ 
to audieuoe, lie again sent eiivciyA, hut in a mora siibjnisaive 
faahion, to remiutl Gregury that the anurversary of hia ei- 
uomtannication wae at hand. '*ItV' continued the meeaag^ 
'* the excommnnioation be not removed^ the K.m^tCiCCordin^to 
the laws of the ktiid, will lose his right to the crown, Tha 
Ftiaoo humbly rc^^ncste the HoJy Father to raise the intet- 

174 



Henry's Disappointment 

diet. Hud to re«tfirQ him to the enmintinioTi of tho Cburob, 
He!a readj to give every fiatiafuLlion that the Fupe 6LUaJI 
require, to pretent hintfleir at each place and at such time ae 
tJie Pop6 ahall ord«r, to meet his accusers, und to noTiiiuit 
bimeolf eutirely to the deciaiou of the Hoad Lif the ChurolL" 
To thia apparent!/ humbk appeai Gregory nont no othci 
r«pl7 than the repetitiooa of bifi decinoD with teg&rd to the 
meettDg at Augsbur^f. 

Ucriry, almost bcaido himself vnih wounded pridd And 
morti£caUoii at the failure of tLv rnUdion, turned for bolp 
to th« friei^dly Hu^o. " Ho ootjnred and wept " and Matit^ 
added her prayers to thoae of the monarch that the Ahlx^t 
should intercede for bim, *- 1 cnnnct. X cannot," helpleaaty 
repeated ihe flynipaih«ti« monk, who, grieving for the Kio^'e 
dinappointment, ffiiggceted thai the Connteaa herself should 
Aitk the Pontiff to grant fui audjenoa to the "repet^tant*' 
King- 
On bcanng thojvo vrorda Hi^nry'e hopes rovived ; Ho baut 
faia royal knao to bia relative. *'If yoa will come to my 
aaMtanoo, Gouain. 1 will no longer struggle. 1 will not tight 
in Iho futuro. The Pope haa tn^ated me very badly, defti 
<K>tiaui, but do what you can. Qet me abaolved, 1 bc^ yoiL 
do I my oouflin, prevail on him to bleaa me. Go 1 " ' 

The Cou&te«B, convinced of the futility of the errand, 
hevitat^d to nndorCalte tha miaaion, and made no reply t<) 
Hugo or to the proteatationa vf the King, which werij too 
fnlsoma to bo mncere. She fixed a look of iuGnite teodemeas 
upon the bowed form of the Queen, from wham all hope und 
fltfMigth Memod bo have tied. Poor Bcirtlia, uuuerved by 
tha long journey and the unoeri^nby of ita ieiaue, ftbandoDod 
heraalf to the grief ahe could no longer roitmin. At the 
^ht of her team, Matilda'a reluctance disappeared. Aa ahfi 
regarded the worn looka of her friend. «ho could refiue do 
longer to onderUkke the office of mediator, II waa evident 
that there waa no other way of oouaoiing the wife than by 

■AuUiaBanii. 
"?5 



L 



^M Matilda, Countess of Tuscany H 

«ntni&t{i]g the clemeucy of tbe Church for tb« huflband. 
UaLilda drentlod what tb« c9D»cqiiencNw would be lo tbst 
•oraly-lried Quc«o, alraodj paro«lnt«d bj tliA vretgbt »f her 
baflbuid't cxoomniuttJCAtion* i^hould tho ban not bw removed. 
Sb« k&ew th»t Uie Poutitf w«a onftWAi^ of all tbiA, Aod ab« 
IcDW tUso that htf pHyiDg hc^vrt would not iotLict «Qch fcor 
fal euffuhu^ upon any woman, far ie«a tipon ao QDoffeudu^^ 
HDcl picii« (laught4;r of the Churob. Bortba'a eiloot pleading 
docndod Mnli]r]a*a coui^eof Action and, embracuig b^ fondly, 
iho Txiticati Priiic«*i took her l«ftvo. She set out for Canosaa, 
followed by the benediction, tbe hopefl and the prayers of_ 
tJio«o whn itwniUid the iMHur of her tnterTetition. ^| 

Tha gates of tbe oastle were flnug open to admit the 
etitoly Countfiits, who p^tnsed wibhont pauBo to U^o apurtment 
of ih« Pontiff Throwing herfiolf on her ka<)ed before Uiia, 
the roconatcd her fours for Bertha, and pleaded in sach 
tooviD^ terme, timt Gregory, unablo to resist her appeet 
tbongb muob ngainst liU will, eouBented to receive tho Kmg- 

Mountcd inosBongors wore at onoe doepatchod to Beggta, 
and the royal tra,vell«rfi, with revived faopeaj startod on tb( 
wa3' to CauosDa. 

Henry lost no time in presentiug himself before tl 
fortresB wh^ch wn« to b« the scene of a humiliation on* 
exampled in hiatory for ittt depth nnd insincerity. On the 
way he was joined by a considerable mimber of olenoe 
Iftymen from Lomb^rdy. who bad also iucurred tbe ggqi 
of the Holy See. Ae avowed pArlizaiis of Germany, bl 
delinqudDte hoped to proSt by the Kmg'a appearmioo, aud I 
making with Liim eubmifisioix to the Church to roinstate them- 
Belvee id the PoatiEi's favoar. 

The caetfe was protected by threo walJod onoloBiireB, am 
Henry's Coliowera, who w&re for the moat part unfriendly tsj 
Matilda, were not permitted by her giiarda to go beyond th( 
first The King, th^«fot«, was oblig^ to leavd tb«m U 
awa.it his coming in the outer court while he was adr^'"e( 
to the inoer enoJoaure. 

(76 



^ 





Matilda as Mediator 

Anrivecl withio the gat«s, tha monarcb in his aseumed 
'4i4Kof penitent, diveet^d himself of tbe emblems pc^Ttaiabig 
to lilfl bigh rack- '" It waa oeceasftry," remiirka the hUtorifta, 
'* that the Eiup^ror should place lua crovm on the earth, and 
thitl ho deHpoil himaeir of the insignin of m^slty before being 
admitted within t!ie fortrtrtK." Nay, he went further in bi« 
uLiitfcmeiitj h? laid lutide his rrrdinary drefln, whiclt he ^x- 
chnngod for a gwb " of white wooUeu," and having aaaumed 
a potituro bceeetning a penitent, he was rendy for hie intor- 
viow with tho Popf*. Henry oulertained the idea that the 
PoQtilf, oToroome by hia aondeeoensicn and by the humility 
of hie peoanoo, would receive him immediately with open 
arm^. He trusted to me the oamly-won roeoncilintion ab a 
powerful weapon by which to cTUah his enemies and secure 
for himself t)ie imperial diudem, Hi« exclutioa from the 
(.'rvrincts of the castle waa the first check to the hopes upon 
whtdi he hftr.1 hnilt hia schemes of revenge^ and for the iirHt 
time he began to doubt the wisdom of his journey to C&noasa. 

In the laeAntiine. Bertha^ her mother and Abbot Hugo 
passed into the ca,fttle, where not even the presence cf the 
only fri&ndfl ehe posseeeed could calm the anxious spirit of 
ihc Qaocc. She was eesentially a piona woman, and the 
eeparation of her husband from the oommumon of the 
Church woa tc her a souroo of deep affliction, Aware of bis 
iraaeibility of temper, she feared lest, after all, be should in a 
fit of pAieioD refuae to mihmit to the punishment, the fulfil- 
ment of which would prove hie contrition. 

The abad^ of night fell softly over (he castle and ita 
wakeful lEiniutcji ami thu pile moon looked down iijxhD ihe 
fi^re of the King maintaining his lonely watcli, his eycM 
fixed upon the wtndciw uf tba apartment wjthiu which tho 
^OOtiff aUo kept soLtajy vJ^I. 

To a man Jf Henry's oucont reliable temper* the loag- 
»cd tcneicn upon hie nc^^ca was nttHicicnt to onhicge 
hia reacN^n. Every hour he aoticipated u uuicmons or mesaage 
frofQ Gregory, and every hour bo was doomed to dianppoint- 





H Matilda, Countess of Tuscany I 

Smti. To tiis eijK-ctjiDt fArxovt^rj iinwnntw) «tir within tbfl 
limiU Iroin whkli bo was exduilai b«rftldod hia releoee Croiii> 
hU mtol^Tftbb po«tioEL Uis hopo« nucd ag^D and a^a 
byapproachiijgftx^tvtci^A weru&^ictftnd^am da^^ tothe 
grcnnd oa tbo 8<:imtdi rctroatcd and died awAy in tbo cUttaii< 
behiiid iho f^atos. 

For tLrfl0 dny* did tie rvmain tn UoklioD, Willi no othi 
oompanioiis thau hu ovn redeotiooji He refused food ai 
Fiutod from mortiing till oiglit, a mcvttrt reatrnjut for 01 
addicted as he was, according to th^CKiJitpOiii oftho time, to tl 
plaaniira* of thft IilIiIo, 

Before tho galuway which baa perpetuated hiet ahame hj 
ita ioioriptkoi — Poriia di p€nittn&j>—'hn paoed up uiil dnwi 
barefeoted on the atoDj ccnrtyard with the m^eety aui 
#omowliat of the ferocity of a ca^cd lioo. Uiotory tcllji 
that whenever the shudcjw of the PootitT pae^od the window, 
Hearykiielt down, truutiog: that iuoh abaaemect would t^juch 
tiregory'aBiiBceptiblebeait The fieroe looks ol the angry 
raooarehr however, holiod his humble poeturo, for vbatevi 
feeliiig!^! of repentauoe Henry had eutertamed had luu^ sini 
givi^n pEuou ti] buriimg rage niid ruBenlnieiLt at the ualookei 
for dvlay. 

Tlie FoiilifT, mean v?hi!e, its he himself asfturea us> " spent tl 
day« And nighta in prayer, entroating tbe Almighty ' 
enlighten ua from 011 high ae to what to do in audi a esrioi 
pass, and what to reeerre for the decision of a CouuciL" 
a tetter addrEisaed to the Oenuaue. he givee the foLIei 
a€couot of Heniy's penance and expJame the fieeming erneltj 
in dofismug the audience '' whilet we long delayed with m^iuj 
conaulttttiotis." " He oame with few atteiidanle whore W( 
were ataying, and there miserably remaiuing before the gate 
for thd apace of three days ba.refoot€d^ and clothed in woollei 
all royal attire being laid aaide, he did not ceuee to imploi 
the aid cf tbe aposti]lic coinpaefiifiu. with many tearH, until 
iQOTed US all who wei'o presout, and aU whiiin the repcirt 
this leached, to such a great pity uid merciful compaesioi 

17! 




Penitenza 



thnt, iotorcedinff for him with maDy prayers and tenre, all 
truly lururiil^red at the bArBttoeas of Dur miud, and 8om« 
ladMd exclAimed th^ we liail Dot the gravity of apoat^iiic 
MT^tity, but AA it wero, th« urnolty (if tyronoiobl 

" Wo receivod frono him," contmued Gregory in writing of 
ihQ interricvr, '* the pccaritice which ar« beDcath written, 
whoBo oonfirmaticn also we reo&ived at the hands of tbo 
Abbot of Chujy, and of our daughter Matilda and the 
.Counteee Adelaide/*' 

Donueo, th« family chAplaJo, who loved every etone of 
CitnuHsa, «ndnwa th« f^asLle with pemonnlity iuid bt^nlE* out 
into the following uoug of triumph : — " I pt^astrsB at once tho 
Pope, the Kiug. Matildu, priucee ot Italy, of France, and 
those from b&yiiiiJ the muunlHiiiH. TIkjhi? also ttf Itomfr, 
prcl&tee, sagcs^ Teodr^bUn. and amcng bbom Uugc q1 
Cluny."' 



^Lt*d 



' Bclrctxtum frtioi tlir Letters of TEildcbriutd. Or«sorj VH, TrwuH 
hjQ. Finch. 

'Hi* Uoljji«n, Lvo Xni., a Si** taDUtba bc/orc bU vlcctinn K> lh« 
pviiUfii;^! thumr, [rA!(] h xUrl' i<> tfiiv fMLiiiUH fLirtirtw. "1 Iibvv cauuLt 
the untU^iloii," MJiJ Uj' OkL'dmxl Ui twi>t»f Iieh rji-.niilf. '*nijU I Irrt* wjU iev 
with >iJU Lt> Qiacw-k." *' Ilr wuuU) JLinL juiji <iur imtly u urm of Ui>> ujil 
we WL-rp l*j Euokc all the miiir^^mnitai firjd »Ulo ftLE iLr dttoiU. Hv 
BtipiiUitd lIhL vc shoiild oUl bim hy no ctbi^r tkit thui Di>o Gimffhiioo." 
Tliu? irnfl ui Ottobtr 1677, eight btmdred yakn alter Ilrurj'a avll- 
aboMiuaut, "At Quttttro OutvlU, a little to Ait: ngbt, u^t.- i;4Uiii7 iti vJuLt 
<»f Ujii Grvl buildiuKtt fonuiug au advance lEu&rd of Ihv iuiiir«|[ual>J« 
Oftjtli; uf OtiHMa." *'Th«r« an hsrv,'* (XtutLnuvH tW iiitj-tntvr» **ibit 
ntiDM at four cudc* WloMfijig ti> tpb« OjiiaKM MatiltUi aiid uo duuhl 
thcj were uaod partly for £lciiGe uiij jjartlj a< a depot for coUcctlos 
mi^?* from tho ixci^hbaiaTinjf fertile v^llcym, for at Cooow* itaelf the 

aiau or bor>& » , . "Fuuli^i ■« clauibeied up to Ibe ^LiaiaiilH uf tijc 
■fck wKicli u cn>vn«d by ih* ac&uij- ivj-clad rmUB ^f tbr uijc<i r^inoua 
CMJ*. OuiftJjfilt ttiflrr wa* littli- in tin* wnj^ of ^iK-lutrctur^ w ifiikridgui 
to nwmiil vur trfdbhJiiir jbti^Tjit. Wri iv^uht j^kL hHi:i* in Ibi- f^iaUdt vay 
tbr rooujji ILL whirb iIm C*'uat<ta ^tuUlii btbl oiiLnrUiLEicd bvr illiuln- 
iMUfa»c> Gf(7^u[y Vn.jttid tlic e!itp of the iLolilit^ vf TuvamTtVnx^K 
wliom vu miBUrtivd Uie Ck^iiDt d'!&iU, the accntur of the pTMMUt Eojal 
Bq>ii>« of Eotflacid. QcBFccly a rcttiiru «u Il*[i of Uiv iimor i^i' 9uUc 
oour^ ID vhii3i the manlv Foiiu uf Ilcur/ JV. trijd tlio Bmrn'Mtrvwii 
«toD«a' Ct^mnk Edit<il hy Eight lUr. Muusvifta^ur Oi«dw«l]> 
DeoMtk PraUu to Hb Dohom Uo XIU. 

■79 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

DciniKO then deecnbes, ns iin evc-vritncee, the ovcnlfl wUoh 
took plaoo at th<> mt^mcjrAblc meeting' between th^ POtt^Cj 
and Henrj — ft ec«Qe whiuh has b&ucme bifitorical 

On the third day the Kinp^ was admitted to th« tnt 
of the cciHtle. "Ciiatiug hiiiiBelf ou the grouud, with arm* 
OQtatrotobed, he ^xol^med, ' Pardon m&, Fathor, pardon m« ! ' 
At the Bight or the harohled raonareh Gregory uraa moved 
even ti^ tenra. Taking pity on him, he raiemi him from hifl 
lowly poatiire, eaying, 'It is enough, it 18 wiciogh."*' "Ab a 
man, ho could uot leprees a seutimetit of pity for so ^eat a 
chan^ of fortune, and a» a piiest, touched by the rdtum to 
tho fold of a sinner." The conditions of treaty icolTided a 
proinisfi that, tinti) the meeting at Augaburg toek plaoo, Henry 
*' should koop no etate, juid take no part in public ati&iin^ 
and that beyond the levying of royal taxes oecoeBary for 
the Bubsistenoe of hime^lf and his own family, ba sliould 
exercise no rsgal aats of power." 

These forms being gone through, the Pontiff releaaed hira 
from his excomranmoAtioo> and led the way to ths Cbapel in 
order to celebrate Mshh, After the consecration the Pope, 
atill bL>ldi]ig tha Ho^t in hfa hand, thus addreeatfd tbo King. 
" Wo have received letters from ycu and those of your paityt 
in which w© are accused of having usurped the Holy See by 
sunony, and of bavitig both before and smce our epi^oopocy^ 
committed crimes vrhich, according to tba caiions. excluded 
us from Holy Orders. AUhoirgh ^^e oould justify ouraelvea 
by the testimony of those who have known our manner of 
life from childhood, and who were the authort of oor pro- 
motion to the episcopacy, nevertheless 10 do away with M 
kinds of scondal, we will appeal to the judgment not of msa 
but of Gq<1- Let the Body of oar Lord Jesus Chriat, that 
we are about to take, be this day a proof of our innnoeuoe. 
We pray the Almighty to dispel all suspicion if we ara 

■ " Par«A b«al* pntor pie paw* mihe ptto pUa« I Papa vid»n> flflnun 
miH-rKtUH ei ' ntia rst JBU'"<— Doiriio. 

IGO 



I 



I 




Henry Refuses Religious Test 

muoceiit, atii] to cause us suddenly to (lie if we nro guilb/ 
8oij, do aUo ae yon tave eeeo ue do. The Qermau princee 
have datlj accused jou to ui of a great cumber o£ orimce, for 
vhicli tUc>ee Doblee maiotain that you cugbt to be interdicted 
during year whole life, uot ouly from tvv^ty aud all public 
lunctioQB, but also from aU ecclesiaatical comtnaDiOD and 
from aU commerce of oivil life. They urgently demand that 
you be judged, and you know how nncertain are ail human 
jndgraenta. Do then aa we advise, aud if you feel that yoo 
are maocent. deliver ttie Church from this BC'uidn.1 and ycmr* 
aelf from thia ernhjirrafiament Take thu other portion tii tho 
Hoel, that thii* proof of yniir iimocenc© mny close the lips of 
jonr enemies and engage oa to be your most ardent dt^feudor 
to Toconcile you with tbe nchlee luid for ever to temuneto 
thia cruel war," 

I The King, BUrprieed by the euddeDccas and Bacrcd nature 
of the twt, which, had he beeu in earucet would havo pre- 
eeated no diSiculty, waa udaUo to meet thi« appeal to hie 
Ainoerity. " He was troubled, he healtated, hid visage 
became covered with perspiration." "That eviuiion before 
the Hoat/' oontinues Donizo, *' which the hand of the Pope 
extended to him, struck the people aa if he hujl fallen dejuJ 
im reeuiviDg It" Ftieiug from his knee^, he rei^judated 
permiJM^irjD to ooutddet his anewer. Appniachtng his friends, 
who had been permitted to enter tiie caatle chapel, he held a 
whispered consultation with them as to the beet means by 
whidi to avoid the ordeal Hardened offcndcre as most of 
him followere were, they had not entirely Jeat all sense of 
nkligiotia feeling, and all agreod that it would be impossible 
for hiu) to commit Hucb a liugratil act uf sacrite^. 

Betuming to hie pUoe> the King made tbe foltowiag 
reply to the Pontiff, who Awaited with pruyerful anticipation 
a favourable result of the delibernliou. "As those uobl^B 
who remain faithful are fur the greater part absent, ae well 
aa niy at^oiieers, the latter would give but little faith to whiit 
.1 might do in toy justification^ luiUan it were done in their 





Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

prc'toDce, For tliEit purpi^iee 1 beg tb&t the teet m&y bd 
poetpoDod to the day of tbo fitting of the goneral Diot/' 

Tho Popo, whoso keen oje pierced tbrovigh th€ Ihin Teil 
of Hemtyfl bjpocri&^p oonadnt^d, nnd wit^ ft heart wddeDdd 
bj" awcli evidence of iuaincerity, he turned round and, with t 
voice which trembled from diBup^ioiutiLtcnt nud sorrow, Im 
continued the Maao. | 

The Queen and her Tnother occnpted seatn near Matilda, 
and over Lbem bung the puuuou tropbiee won hy tbe Tuscan 
UArgravee, fttiionget them being the imperial flog, vhicb die 
UonDteBfi Leraolf bad captnredn From the hearta of the throa 
women there went f<.>rth pmyere that the Kitjg might bo 
softened by tbo Bigoifioanoo end beauty of the ntaal, from 
whiah ho hiid na long boeu oBtranged. When tho Pontiff, 
with the Hoat in hte hanii, approaolied the altar railfi before 
which Henrv" was kneeling, they rejoiced exceedingly. They 
believed thftt their petition bad been granted, and that the 
King couEd not fail to respond to the Divine Appeal. Bertha 
VFiLs neurly f»intiug from exce&a of joy ! Already before ber 
mind appeared Iho ruse^ifu^ pif^tvire of ber hiiabuiid reronoiled 
bu tho Cliui'oh, restored to the ullegt^uiucr and luve of bia 
people, and of a purified oourt. She regarded (be pain and 
perila thraogh which she bad paesetJ for Lis sake aa a tricing 
price to pay for tho affection which aho hoped would be her 
reward* Alae I fihe saw our Lord'e gift of HimaeU r^fuacd, 
and the channel of graoo cloeed to the unhnppy Kinj^. Shd 
felt that she was onoe again the unloved wife of a monarch 
who eeemod beut upon Lie own moral and material da- 
etmction. 

When Maaa waa concludeH, Gregory tnvitod thd royal 
^eata to tbe fen^b which Matilda had inaugurated in honour' 
%*f tbe reconcibalion. Henry, n^li^ved that th« cxremony wai 
over, Find hin mind set at rest by the removal of thi^ iiitr^rdict, 
resumed bis regal ^ttiro and with it Homewbat of bin wonted 
avTOganoa Hie appetite, ahaipeued by the long faat.waa oat 
atfeotodbyany unertAitieiMt of mind. but did full ju«tice to tbtt 

1$^ 



I 

■ 

I 



Impenitent ^'Penitent" 

de1!caoiee spread before him, ftn^l of which his wife aod 
Matilda ate bat aparingly. Gregory, aooord in g to the rule of 
p^rptftual abadaenoa whiah he atriotly obeerved, partook of 
nothmg Hit B Btnall portit^n of vtrgetablcvt. "esfeeming wine 
and fruit us luxariert too grsat for his Bimple tdiete." Th« 
lessona be had learned from Abbot Hugo were not Forgotten, 
and. Itke hito^ he considered " every gratiUcatioD eiiifui 
which did not tend to the glory of Uod" 

Dumg the repast he repeatedly attempted to draw Henry 
ioto coDVOFbatioD, and with parental kindncea invited hlB 
oonfidencd. Nothing, however, ooiald movd the King, who 
mai&taiued an obatioate reserve. Aftor waiting in Taio f<vr 
florae softeninf* of his prid?,sf>ciefltgii of repenlnDceor nigrot, 
Gregory, with a sinking heart, dinniissed with bU bieesing tbe 
man who was henotforth to be bia bitterest foe. 

It was uBelesa io prolong the visit of the King wMle he 
reimined Iei this intritctable mood, and mnuh as Bertha 
needed re«4taft«<rber privationaand exposure, ahewaa ohb'ged 
t» eet ont for Qermany i id mc^dia icily the meal was enilet], 

Henry waa^ aa niay well he ttuj:>poBed, auxioua tc> iiuit a 
acene which held for him bo much moriifioation of prid&. lie 
was not a little diaquioted alao, as to thd effect hia humilia- 
tion wtjuld havti upou hia aubjt^ota.aud r^-grctted that he had 
Dot dared to tako the tent which Gregory bad offered, and 
which ^ould have eattsflei their religioua aeraplee. 

Long and sadly, aiid with what ysarniDge of epirit who 
can lel!, did the Poutiff gaie npou the retreatiog form of the 
deicendniit rif a nobb race, attd the grandson and eon of pioua 
pareiita It gneved him to think that one ao young in yeara 
could be ao old in dnpltcity, and that by his iui^ensato folly 
be eboutd bring au umcb misfortune upon thoae who would 
bare proved hia tmeet iriend& 

Ilonry wae endowed bj uature and inheritance witb a 
figure that waa both toll and commacdiDg, and hia foaturee 
wonld have been refined had not debanohory impresaod cpoD 
tbora hor unfailing troccit. JIc, however, atiU retained that 




I 



Madlda, Countess of Tuscany 

kingly dignify wliicb alone kept &Hve the fljiog ombfin 
his people's loyally — loyally ao sorely etraia^d by bifl 
and tyraDDj. 

Od more than one ocouioo h% )i&<) giv^n inet&n 
perdODal bravery, aucl be wjiaponetaadof iuteld^ntiiul po 
of uo uieau order. With all these advautageB. Ileur^ w 
neatlier fortunate ttorTiap|iy, Tlie neglect of thovu fjaalitietf, 
which, it^ cultivated id early youth, would Lave made Iiieq 
the moat powerful aovereigu of hie time, oaua^ thtta to miM 
theii aim and turn like deadly wcapoiiA to his own dOAlmc* 
tiou. Hie oonditiou of mind on quitting; thu oaalla mad 
r«)joiniag hia comptLnions is impowiblo to portray. Now th^ 
the interview waa over, lie felt all the ahame of the faU« 
poaition in which he had placed hima^tf. He realised that tbe 
etep lie had takeo waa an error, and that by the very humility 
he had feigned he had forfeited hie popularity among tbd 
prineea and prelates of Lutubarily, who were buund to hui 
c&iias by the eleuder ties of Belf-intereet. Hia sincerity waa, 
ae he kuew, doubted by those whom he moat wished to^H 
concaliate, and tlie imperial sceptre aeemed to be farther thaa ^1 
ever from bie graap. In short, he too late discovered that 
sot by the depth of his ahaBemcnt, bat by its falsity, he had 
defeated bifi own object. ^ 

Matilda was no leBs vexed aud dJaappoiuted thaD tbo^ 
Poctitf at tho failure of the luterview, and she mingled her 
tears with those of Adelaide and bet sorely-tried datighten 
When th« helpless infant who now lay aaTnep in Berlba'a 
urina grew to mail's BBtate, a,m\ caina to die in Italy, the 
Coiintesfl called to mind the cli^tging embraces ^f the hroken- 
Apirited Qnseu, aud opened her heart with almost material 
affection to the motherless exile. 

The Princeea, who was at thia time in ber tbirty-'eeooiad 
year, bad succeeded on the death of hor molber to the im- 
portant aud extcnsivo Marquisatc of Tuscany, and ynm 
gonorally styled "X^ grande Comtoesa." flor warm re* 
eeption of Bertha, and her mediation on Heury'a babalf, hod 

184 



I 




Matilda's Bequest 



insptred the Qerrnan moDarcb with the ideA that by gainiDg 
ber fneiKlahip be migUt, at her decease, beoome the proprietor 
of gome cf ber laoda. But Matilda had other and more 
laudable latcntionB aa to th^ diajicfial <jf ber property. No 
sooner did ehe corne mtci pofiseafiion of b«T vast 4>fltatea than 
ehe determioed to m^kea present uf lliomnnd of her personal 
©ff**cte to the Church, whose temporal welfare wa** the deaire 
of her hdart. " Peter," quaintly ren^arks the poet cbrouicldr, 
" boie the Koya of Heaven* MatUda had resolved to bear the 
Etniriac Keys (if Peber'a patrimony in ito other character 
than that of doorkeeper to Peter." *' She wus i ^idow," eays 
the hifltoriiw, *^ without children, and vras not Ukely to re- 
marry. She bad no other relativea than tho Emperor aud 
hia ohildreQ, and ahe waa too Italian to willingly givd ber 
heritage to GermanyH The beir of her heart was the Holy 
See itflelf, which in her eyes represented the faith of Italy 
and, according to th» happy espresaioa of the poet, ' her only 
love'" 

The bequeat wa« not the reaidt of a aodden outburst of 
generosity, for MatibWa mind vraa too wdl baknct^d to be 
eubject to tho tlaotuating feelinga of tho moment. The 
firraagemenb for the tmiififer of ber lands had coat her many 
hourc of eerioua oonEdderation during ber mother^a lifetime. 
Beatrice bad foredoen that in the coming etruggle bdtweeai 
Cbtirch and State the Popes would have need of private re- 
fiouroefi aa well aa of faithful and loyal children. 

After the departure of Henry, the Cotmteea invited 
Gregory to mak* a Pontifical tour of inspection through the 
oilieH oud townrt cif whiob t^be wuh rubr. In Uds manner, 
she introduced him to the property which he and future 
Sovvreign-PontitTs wero to hold in truBt for tbebeuefit uf the 
ChnrcK 

Other rich and rare ofTerit:g3 have been made from time 
fo time to various occupants of the Tapal Chair, but tbia one 
wa« unique in the biiilcry of tb« Holy S^i; for i1« muuificeDce 
and for the unmixed motives of ita pious donor. The gift 



Gtcr 

I 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

wad ind^'l n pnocely one^uiJ wottb^ of the daughter 
DunifiLac " tho Al^gcificdui" It iiiclTid«d " Tubcaoj-, MActuA. 
FarmA. Keggio, Plac«atia, Perran, Modcc*, « pArt of Umtvu* 
the Duchy of Spoleto, Vorondb. and filmoet aU knovD afl thft 
Patrimony of St Peter from Vciicrbo to Orvioto. tog:«tlior, 
with a part of tUe Mareh of Ancoaa, &ud iDoIcdod tho spot 
not far from Pisa, where, according to tmditiocia, St Peter 
fimt landed in Italy, and upOD which a hasUioa dedioateJ 
the Apofitle bad been erected.'* 

Ttat Matilda reallj made n transTer of ber landa to 
Pupus hue never heen fiurtJiiely diepntcMl- The qtiMtii 
however, wne ufterwards raised with regard to the extent 
of the graut, and ivhetlier ailodial pOAseasione were incTude^. 
" But the woids of the conTeyaucc are too clear to admit uf 
doubt Bhe dcea not Bay, ' I have giren all the eetatee whicb 
I possess and hold jure propriotorio/ but she saja, 'I hare 
given all my oetatee to the Churoh jure propriolario/ ft»^-, 'it 
i« my wish that the Church ahonld possess all my oetat«&' 
This very compreheneive langnaf^ embrace all." ' jH 

The iiewa of the endowment spread far and wide, an^^ 
avenlEinTly reached the ears of the Oerin&n Kmg dre hu had 
quitted Italy. It serv&tt to croate n freah grievance between 
htmeelfand Gregory, to whose direct influence he nnjiully 
attributed Matilda's uu«TKpccted course of action. He 
Atreauoualy opposed the trauafer on the greond that maat 
of the lacds, " the Marf]uiEate of Floreuce aud the Duchy of 
Spoleto capGCtallyf wore &«fe of the crown^ and appenda^^M of 
imperial authority" fl^ 

Fiudii]i> that tho*' Great Conutcoa" vroanot to be ahakeo 
from her purpose by hia throati^, ho was all the mere enrag«4 
with the UDOonacioas Gregory. With tho duplicity wbiiflH 
appeared inherent in his ufttun^, ho mutttred ft plan by whi«li 
to draw the Pontic wiihiu his power, and thus miilce a trcatj 
with Matilda for hie release. He calculated with cunning 

o/ RfcUtiatltCat BiUory, hf John L t<d 



1 /? uftr«i«t 



|B6 




Henry*s Plot 



art thM OQOd the Pope waro hie prisoner [he coutd make 
"vrhAt termB he pleased for hie ratiBom. Accordingly, having 
despatched hia wife and child to QermaQy, he eent eDvuys to 
Cnnodsji hegging Gregory for a second iDterview, So 
«ftrD«8tly was the appeal wordsd, that the Pontiff, tonnhod 
to tb« heart hy Uenry's evident daaire lo make amemk, wan 
unable to refuao whu.t appearoii so natural a request 

Although the princcBB oould not divine the iDientiona of 
tho King, ehe mifttriiated hia motiTea and feared a nnare. 
Without expreseiug her eaepi^iionB to the Holy Fathur, sLe 
aeleot^ a picked body of meti-at-arme and trusty kntghte, 
aod placing herself at thsir head, form^t^ a gu^rd to defend 
the Popa iti the event of any attack upon his person or 
Uberty. 

Escorted thna by " the daughter of St Peter," as Gregory 
loved Vi call her, he proceeded to the appointed pf^ce (tf Ihe 
DteoUng on tho bsnka of Virgira " King of Bivers." 
^ Alrftidy the venerable Gregory had passed the Fo, in the 
hope of arriving ^t a veritable peace/ relatee the historiFU], 
whoo Bounde as of aomeoao riding in hot taste rcaobed tbo 
aaraof the alert princoaa. The tlgnreof a horseman appeared 
in 9i|fbt, who, on beholding the party^ urged on hia 9teed to 
gront4)T 60brtt, and only arreetad his career when within 
fpaftking dietanoe cf Uatilda, who rode forth to meet him. 
With difficulty the exhanated messenger di^moniited to greet 
her, and, overcome by fatigue, eank helpless at her feet^ Ab 
Aoon as he waa Biifficiently received he ©itplrtined Uiat ha 
had come to warn the PontiH* that lleni'y meditated hia 
captnrv, and tlint tho nppoinitnQut wan but a msn to ctirer 
liU teal deal go. 

8tJirtlod at thw oonfiTniaticn of her fears, Matilda hdd « 
oonaultation with Gregory, who preferred to treat tho report 
■4 the outcome of oxccamvti xnal or of dislike to the King«and 
diar^gardinK the int«rniption, he calmly procooiiod to tho 
pUo* of mMtiog. 

Henry, aocompaiti^ by a rotinu* of Lombardiana, wbo 

187 





Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

bad dspoosfid Ilia cauee eu ih^ own, was first 
rendaavQUB. He greeted tbe FoDtifT with Appitr^Dt deferecc«, 
"but hifl glaniw was ao thraatenirtg, and his movem^Mitd so 
r^tleaa/' tbat HfttiMa'e instioot of oandon, ftron&e^l by tha 
rumaur of his iatoDded tre^cliory, was tiaw (ally &wak«ned 
Appi'aheiLHtve of aoiuo ambuscade, and drowning OTcrir ui«Uiil 
a peiBotutl as&MiU upon Gregory, alie caoecd hiux to be aor* 
roucddd by h^r followere. Noting the ominous dftrkeutog 
of HdcTj'fi ooUQtoii&iico &t this precaubioa, ebe etiddeo^f 
t^nninated the interview and withdrew with tht> uttwillt&fr 
Pontiff "to thv fastis eaeiM of her native mouutaios," er« ik 
King had ttmc to oat off bur retroat. 

Thud did the Countess, by h^r pm^^DCd «ad fi 
avert tbe threatened danger bo the Head of the Cbureh. 
Thus did abe thwart the machtontion* of a K.wg, 
who, with the mad rec1cleEBDefi8 of a boqI aluirdoiiifK) to 
pdssioQs, was banyiug along tha dowuw&rd p&tii lo 
ptructJoD. 

Smarting froio the Indignity of being outwitted b 
woQiaD, be determined on hi5 rotam to hin kingdom to 
dress bis wrongs by force of arms, the usual itiethi^d adopted 
in thoee days. His proud epirit, wounded to tb<} quick by biA 
mortLfying defeat, had now found a eeoond objoct upon whom 
to tjike a deep and full revenge. From that titne he became 
his oouBin'e releutleaa pereecutor, and although the cUanoea of 
war more thiLO once brought him into eloao proxinuty to her 
person, he never agaiii looked upon her benntiful features 
after tUia meeting. This was also the last interview between 
the KiTig aud the Holy Father. Although Henry's (binit 
for revenge was uut aatinfied until nine years later he 
Bucoeeded in driving Gregciy from Rome» he never had 
another cpportunity of sp&aking to him.' 

Flinging a glance of impotent wrath upon the receding 

form of the good old man whom ho w^uld eee do more on 

earth, and who only desired hi« well-being, tiie mon 

I "PapUD MithUdiiD rex ultoriuB Hijqut vidit"— Doffi&x 



ere iU 

ireh. 

I to 

I 



L 




Matilda Saves the Pontiff 

taraQcI Dorthwarda and oontimied tis vny bj a cdroiutoae 
toQto to OermADjn 

Hfttildft, "who gathered from lier Innamnn's icowting brow 
the cb&grtii wliicL Gr^gory'^ eaoape had caoa^ \aai, gavo ao 
ioToluntary sigh of relief wben a tiiro \n the road hid hie 
anwelcome figure froDi her view. 

Ddhizo Tvna present at tlitB Bcenc^ And in 1l» quaint T«T8e 
descnbee, with glowing pen, the moDATch'e Itasenecui ami 
Matilda's frnatrntic^n of hie deeigns,' 

The Poutiti^s tniatiuJ Doturo had BDepcctod do e^l at th« 
hosds ot the penitent of Cjtnoasa, and wh^jn the OnoDtoM 
rejoined him ho mildly ospoetutntod witb her on the (.^xcenit 
of eautiou which bad led her to break cff a oeufcreiico from 
wbiob he sDtictpnted li ainoere reconciiiatioD with Henry, 
The intemiptiou was in Gregory's opinion the more to be 
regretted, aiDce the desire of the King for an interview 
fa^fnAtf^d H wish on his part for the eatabltMhoient of more 
Amicable relationa between himflatf and the Holy See, The 
CottDteaa indeed could soaraoly ocnviuce the PoDtifTofthe 
magnilude of the danger from which he had been rescued 
and which he had evon now not altogether eluded. 

Dreading pursuit at every turn, MatiliJa oaccrted htm aa 
far aa Florence on the high road to Rome, and there they took 
leare of each other. Alighting ^m her horse ahe knelt all 
lowly iu tho road at the feet of one who waa both the fnend 
of her childhood and the Repress ntativa of her Faith. She 
waa filkd with gratitnde to Heaven for chooaEng her for the 
eeoond time aa thu inMtrnmenl by which a PontifThad been 
reflbored t<i his throne. Gregory himself waa toudiud to the 
heart by the loynLty and devotion of the Ooiint«Hs, who»o 

' " Poaior poll* c&rvD» tu\ t^ua d«oe«adid nb tree 

EritUaun pnMol UaihildiA «t optima ttevn 
Ba^ Hannei «ui pftpom lnid«rv dicjt. 
Hoe oU «og&(mt prudrai hen mox cito movit 
Bti^ae nM f4>rt« pottit cum pnotglc noDtiA 
Inndial haoin rvgu net vt patofMt^D."— D«3rtto» 
i39 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



1 



d«ep mourumg g?trTDoi)tiL g&vo evidence of her rcscent bereaT** 
mcnt. Wtth tt voiu« treiubling with emotion be raieed kil 
hftnd OD high o?or hor bi»wcd f<jrm ood bcatowcd tUt^ 
Apostolic bloBSiDg upon bo v&liaiit and humblo a dofoodor d 
fchc ChdfcU'e liberty, 

Gregory's arrived ia Home was marked by f^ott^nl 
rojoifnnge. *' All the people/' Baye the po6l, " toado holiday, 
and were tram^port^d with joy At tKa return of their pastor* 
0:1 heuniig of Matilda's gi^iieroHity to tUd Holy See, and of 
her meaflurenfor the PnntifTft enfety, "the air wa* fillfl^ with 
crif» of beii^ilictioti for the Pope acd Lho Cuuul«tai, oitd u 
many inak dictions for lite King." ^M 

In Matilda's eyen everything that her mother had er^* 
loved waa hallowed. CnlLing to mind tho atloction nhc hhA 
felt for her aephew, the Oounteiaa set omdo her own feetin^'^ 
of anjj^erat hia bohavionr and prepared to net ft« mediator 
between him and tho I'ontiH^ Aa eoou tht;refore oe Gregory 
returned to Rome, ehe wrote to remind him of his promise to 
show olvmenc}- towards hor erring r6lsliT& 

Gregory's reply to Uiiu appeal * leads o&e to think thit 
he bad oot forgotten tb« pmyere wbich Beainee addreee^ tc 
him from her hm} of dnnth in favour of the iitifortmisie 
monarch.'* Th» anawur, though Hteni in its jnstic«, was 
tempered with d eiiicera defiire for the K'ui^ti ri»-admiMi» 
within the palo of the ohuroU, " We ar^" h© concluded, 
" animated agniitat Htnry neither by pride of the ago aor by 
ft Yttin ainbitiou, bnt thd discipline and care of the Church are 
the eole motives which animate «•- Wo dvfltro to treat him 
with tond^irncflfl if he will eiiwerely return to God, and with 
that mercy wbioh will etfsce his faults. We will oot forget 
the frailties of human nature^ and will reoall the pioGfi 
remenihraiieo of his faUier and mother," 

Undannted by the ob^faolee be had already enoonntereo 
Gregory still purpcmed to t>e present at the meeting which 
was to be convened at Augeburg. Rudolph. Duke of 3nabia, 
bad promined tu nnmt an cHi?4irt, and for this tlio Ponliff was 




Unrest 



wjiiticg ere ho recomni^need hia journey, Henry '» sudden 
flight from Spires, and the lutcertaioty of his mov^tnent* 
after <^uiUiDg Ganosaa, however, Ji*ooai*rted the plana which 
had be«n iiia<)e For AendiDg a military guard fpr the protection 
of the Holy Fiither. 

The SasoQfl dared cot leave their castJes, or withdraw any 
of th«ir moil, le«t the Kiug should bear dowu tipou thi^ir 
UDprotoctod proportj, and their fcara were tjot ^otmdlcfls, 
"Foiled in tJie attempt to m&ko Gregory hia priBOder, ho 
tnmtd iiico a koM«d lion upon Uerranny. Kia ehnractor 
seemed ohaiffed with QDlookdd-for energy and decimon. He 
gatb«r«d an army and swept \ik& a tempest through Saabia, 
leaving behind him a desert, and never ceased in his mad 
career of revenge until yeare after his miserable hiiuility &t 
CanossA he eiitertrd Home iu triumph,^' i 

Uiiilor the circuoistaDoea it 8ceined highly improbable 
whether the Diet wonld be held after all, aud Or^ory'a 
ftbmHicu appeared lumvoidahKr. 

Both in Germany and in Italj', and more especially in 
Borne, there prcrailed a rague fooling of mtsgiTing and 
QDCiaainesv oa to tho turn ovunta were about to take. 

Hatiida dared not <iait Tuscany, ior llcnry'o partizaca 
•pread everywhore a diacord among the maloontenta who 
vrcTit to bo mot with in ovory priaoiptility, and Erom which 
thu Marqui«ate wa« Tinhappily not eKeruj^i. The emigre of 
dialoyalij which smonldered within the hearts of th«06 
QDgraterul Tuscaua only needed the ebaence of th*>> prinoene 
to bfv fanned lutti n genernl insiirret^Uoti. Nothing bnt her 
firm peraoiial oontrol could keep these anbjeclB in check, 
corniptrd lui they wcrft by tho bribes and protnin«!S of 
Oermau emiaearicit. Mt^a^cfrgem were at Ihie period of 
uncGTtainty oonatantly passing between Tuscany aud the 
Pontifical ooort. 

Letters from Qrc^^ry fall of lendemeae end advi(», 
auuring the Coonteae of his prayers and ayntpathy, wcro 
< Orwji, rAf Cnzicr and tAe CbirJ^ 




't to 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

not in^eqncmt nt tSia tin^ And proved a Aonroe of 
iolaoe t« the d&iigbter of the Mnrgraveft. *' How gnm? o^ 
ftDxietiefi nre Tor j'onr tvilvntion lie only nndenitAuda Vf^o 
Hnarohrji hU the »ecreta of tKfl htartn," 

lie rccommcDdi; her if pouiblo to partako dailj of Ho^| 
Commnuioti, aud commenda her to the c^rd of the Motlior or 
our Lord "Of thin" bo coDtianod, '*you may certainly b* 
purauaddd, that in proportion ae ebe ta more exAlted, and 
bottor* and bolttjr tlun any oth^r mothor in tho «Ame deg^ree. 
ebo i» mota tnercifttl and siveeter to emndra/' ^ 

But the Jmimey to Augaburg wu not nndortaiien after 
all, Henry, we Icam, •' not only r«fu«ed a saf^ conduct to 
the Pitpe, l^ut aUo guarded the paesngi-s to edut in the PontlJ 
m the roads of GermH-ny^ ha even barrad the route fr 
Honie." 

Inform&tion reached the watchful Matilda^ of whi 
vigilanofi the poet apeuka with pardonable prido, thui tk plot 
v&s formed by her perfidious cousin bo arrest both hemi^If 
and Gregory^ and to keep thoin id Oermany. Thu CoDDt^aa 
at once sent Tr&rDing to the Tontiff, and even bis long* 
suffering spirit ^as stirred to anger at this &eab Aud iodis- 
putftble evidence of Henry's treachery, "No ono, not oreo 
tho pious Mfttildft, now dared to epeah of reooocilatioa'* 
*^ From that day," remarke Doiiiso, *^ a ohooge took place m 
the feelings of Matilda for the King.'* Any Ungering senti- 
ment of family affection which ha<l survived vros now uttcHy 
exdnguished. "Henceforth ehe forgot the tiea of bleed " 
and devoted herself body ntid Noul to thi> work of defeating 
Heury'a inachinatioitR against the Chnrcb. 

The uoblea of Saxony nud tiuabia, who bad looked to the 
couferencc b.b a settlement of further diBCord> liad now loat 
all patienoew They no Jongw tmated in a King whoM 
promiaeH neither religion nor honour held as binding, and 
rcaolvod to throw off all allegiance to lo fuithloia a eoverdga 

* SeUotum 0/ I^lteri of Stldti'^amd^ Grt^ry VII, Trauclated 

G. floA. 

19a 




Rudolph as Emperor 



Tho 07JI th»b Qvegoty liad dreadod luid h&d l&boured to 
ftTert now fell d|>oii Oertn&uy. Tbe fit^ebratid of civil wnr 
woa nboot to carry d&aoIatioD aod griof into the homM of 
thofie wbo. but (or Hutiry's tyramiy, would buv© obeyed bim 
with timl doTotioQ to tho impenol authority for wliiob his 
oouDtrymon ar« rcmarkabk. 

In Mu-oh (1077), the prtncoe, aocing no other courao open 
to them, urninged a meeting at Foroheiio, in Bixvarift. At 
thU cnTjEcil they formally proolaiiQed their right to obooa^ a 
new Suvareiga, and " prijoe^ded to the BcriouH htiHioesa of 
«ilflf!ting &n Emperor." Without hesitation tbeir votdf wen 
niihutiiioDgly giveo to Rudolf It of Suabin, with the limitation 
to hie power that hia throoe waa uot to be hereditary. 

Oourierfi were despatched from tbo Auembly to Rome 
aod to TodcaLv to a^^i^uauit the Pu^titT auJ Matilda with 
bbd decisive act ion of tbe priuoea. 

The ndwa of tbe rerolt was not favourably received by 
Uregory, a.ud in bis reply ho expresst^d his dieapproTal of tbe 
conduct of the ecclosijistioa who had taken part in the 
proccodiugE '^Wo bave decided," wrote ho. ''that i£ the 
arebbiabopd and bishops who have counnclled Kudolph do 
not give us good rea^ooe for their ooudoot, tbey 6hall bo 
deposed fVom their Sees.*' ^ 

Henry, who w&h naturally inoeceed at tlie daring ^olaUon 
of bia authority by tbe Saxona, immediately invaded their 
country, and after being defeated in the Raid by Otto of 
Nordbeim retired to collect hie foroce. BudDlpb, who appoani 
to have been particularly unfort;mate in war, wafi in tbe 
EDttntime bard preaaed by Henry's gtsnorals, and leaving 
Soabin, took refago among the Saxone. 

Orogorj was now appealed to by the princes to give his 
public BADction to the olectioD of their Emperor, but tbU ha 
was unwilliug to do, trusting that even now Henry woald 
ftdmowUdge his atrora and make amends for bis conduct. 

Tlw Pontiff was tbiifi pUood in a pi^sition id whicb it waa 

■ Lib fX. Rpi SU SpiMtaia^ 
H 193 



1 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

htkfd to make a choioo. "nod for a time b6decad<rdlj 
port with ncitlicr «d^/ " " He, ilk tho Fnthor of all th« fwtb- 
fuL dosirod only tho peftce of Europ<^ aad tieetog on cilb«T 
bftiid only ooo of his aonn, ho oould not," oontmtifia ^« 
hiatoriatir "deolare in fovonr of either of tlio bcIHgerCELt 
parties-" Thia Oref;opj himself explains in tbe folbtrio^ 
cpifitl^ addr^«Bed to the Germane: — "For cmi own heart 
finotuntea in gtvut aorrow and grief aeeiDg that througb the 
pride of one mau so mEiny Uiotiauuda of Ohriatian men are 
delivered over to t<?mptatioti atid eternal denth, and that th« 
Clirifltian reH^un is thrown into coufiieion, and the Roniafl_ 
Empire ie brought to perdition. For each of theAe Kh 
neelcH help from iiH, or rather from the Apoetfjlio See 
which wo, although wo ftro unworthy of U, predde. 
*^Givftii at Carpi on the Snd of the calendaof Jane.'^ 
About the same tima the Pontiff vToto to Hugo of Clunf 
a lottor in which he " regrcte the uliHstort and the profound 
tranquillity." "Vfo oro," he oontinnea. *' under the strain of 
much a^ony, oTorwhelmoi) with ranch bncinons. which those 
who art* ctar na are unaUe to oompr&hend or rolicre^ 
'* Popea," jnstly remarks an iinpartiul historian, "^ecmetim^H 
oontended with fwivereigiis but nev^r with sovereignties. 
The very aot by wbich they absolved enhject" from tho oath 
of nTlegianoe declared sovereignty inviolate. The Pope« 
tsiiTghl tmtions that no humau power cniild reaob thp 
sovereign whose authority was auapended only by a di< 
power,"* 

Time was. however, paaaing od rapid wing, each 
iiii:^reaB]ng the list of lives ancriliccd in tho strife between 
armies of the rival chiefs and widening the hreaoh between 
the King and \m people. Gregory, grieved at the thought of 
BO ranch bioodehed, and by the miaoriea and want which tread 
on tho beelB of civil war, was nt last forced to take action in 
the matter. Unwilling to prolong tlie struggle between 

> Si9tot^ af fitrmaitif. J. ^imo, MA, 

< rarvtatum a/ CkfUtttuLm. by tUo Uio J, W. AUlsa 

*94 



i 



Henry V 



oontemling fwrtiee, ftod toeing ao eigne of repentonco on 
Benry'e p&rt, ttie PL>nttff yielded to the pobitiona of his 
«>pprefie<id children and decided in fovonr of th<t Snftbian 
prinoe^ Tho imporial ir«^o crowii of Charlemuguc was in thu 
{losBt^saion of Henry, but Gregory eeut Rudolph one made of 
gold, and bearing the following inscriptions — '*P(itr« dodid 
Ptttro, Petrne diadema Rodnlpbo '* 

Newa of her son's almsement, bis ilagniut breach <)f fiiilh 
*nd of the rebellion of b.ifl Bnbjeots, was not long in penetrftt- 
ing the doisters within which the King's mother had rt^ttnH3 
fifUfcn years prerionaly- Her atrength, dimiuiBliing with 
age, had been nearly exhausted by troubLos, tomomi^ nnd 
noxicty, and this lust blow crueh^d out the feeble spark of 
life. Gregory made il hio apuci") care to mit and console 
the eick Einprcse, and he raroly qoilted bor during her lart 
bonrs on etirth. She eiill'ered no pain, and lay rkjpeatiri^, in a 
low and trembling voice, "the Penitential PftalnDa wLich bo 
aloquently express eorrow for past eiuB/' She joined lier 
mipphcationa to those of the prieatB around ber in thciir pleaa 
fur mvrcy, and in their prayera for the dying. At the w^rdg 
"Go forth, thoa Chri«tian bouI/' the burden of life's d!a* 
up^mintiikent fell from the wearied Empress, she eommend^ 
her epifit to Ood aiid qnii^tly pa««ed away. 

Sht> died jnut at a time when hor gtm waa engaged in 
couAfct with hia people, and when there came iuto the world 
the little Prince flonry who in after years aocaniod the 
VDfiUal task cf judging and paniahing his tiatherla 
tcittdecda. 

The Pontiff himsotf celebrated the requiem Maaa. and 
gave directionit that prayers abmild bo recited for the repoeo 
of her BOul, Sho was buried with all the ceremonial due to 
hor rank in the Church of Saint PttrouiUa^ boatdo Che loub 
of that saint near the altai- 

Benry wax imul)le to be present at the fnn(-*nil since he 
waa under tlie ban of iho Church, nor was it ptfsaibk for him 
in any ojiae to <piit Oermauy at thia juncture. 

»95 



L 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



After a ycftr'a ottMotton of boalilitiee in ordor to mAflt bii 
foTCCA, ht &giUQ m^e ftn inonreioii Late Sftzooy, &a<l u 
6ii|cafr^ment took plnco on the banks of a UiXxiUjry of th« 
Elbe. The fsriaoip&l aonuD&nd was eatmsted to the l>tiko d 
Brab^at, who had SDCOcoded hia r^tiv^ Godfroj le Boei% 
tho huflband of MfttiMa, in the tit1«. Thie soldior, who had 
Dot yat attained hu tvQtity-firat year, bai?iam« oqo of th4 
moHt rentiwTtod of medi&^viil warriora, aud ac^iovnd i 
repittfttion as th« ni^bleBt luid moat t^hivalroofi knight of tbe 
time, I m mortal iMcd by dicing tUa hero of TaHfla'n JernjaJrm 
Delivemd, Oodfroy m beat knowo to hietory by hia aaniame 
of BoctiDoiif from tlif: caatio is tb« Ardeou*^ which be 
inbont«d from hia mothor, tha eaintly Ida, 

The youibftil oommruider met Kudo[p!i fac^ to fftoo, ond^ 
Aft«ra deaperoto Btniggb between the two conabatoiitd. the 
bADd of the n&wty-ornwted Ring was fitraek oft' by kii 
young but powerful antagonifrt. Thus disabled, ho r&oeived 
the thniit of Godfrey's laneo through hie eainea, mod fell 
from his horw© at the very moment when th© tide of riotoiy, 
turuiDg in his favour, hi^d secured fcr biro the throne of 
Oermany. His friends rushed forwnrd to rescue him, and 
with flome difBi^iiUy cnuveyed the wotmded tmitiB-rob h*om 
the battlctieEd, thoir jja^sage being impediMJ by the rotreAt of 
the foroes under ITenry, who had jiut nuffnrod a ei^al 
repulaa Otto of Nordh^iui, Hiidnlph'a commruidor. unavHO 
of tho dien^ter that bad befallen his chief, pursued liii 
Advantage with «o mnoh vigour that at length the imperiil 
army wae compelled to give way, leAving the suoctttef 
geaer&l in poeseeBioD of tho field. 

Tho shouts of the exultant Saxons rang in the aon 
the dyin^ monsroh, who, on hearing the dowb, exolatmed, 
" Now I suffer joyfully whether I live or dj«, or what&rer J s^ 
ths will of Qod'' He begged his friends not to etJind an)un^| 
his beddide, but to go to the imruf^dliite aid of his wounded 
solttjora who had fought so hravoly. It is said that the 
Saxon lordft were so touched by his oourage and piety that 

196 



1 



Death of Rudolph 



ihoy uvtoTG to him that if God ebould spare hiic, even if he 
Icit both hands, he fthonid still be their King, 

After lingering in gre&t pAui fnr three days, the on* 
fortnnnte Rudolph, who had wcim the crown finr rift^irlj^ thrM 
ye«rti^ eichanged it for h well -deflBrved and higher reward 
of hiA virtuefl> He was buried in hia ra^al robes Ld the chtnr 
of the cathedral tieat his paluce in tho Saxon town of 
Merseberg. A reciunbont effi^j in braaa was aflerwardfl 
placed on hia tomb, which bore the following inficription : — 

Sbiia in Jofflnw of hi» coiintry"* Ihwaj 

Hp fpll a Liulr v]i:Lini id a battK' w^iu by tja people 

Dcftth WJui Ej) htm lifft, for ho died fnt thi? Chnrvh. 

Ujt^ be roiffnad in more fKiftc«lul djivn lio «rauld tiMVO bA«a willioui ui 

•qij«l fur prudvuve and wioduiu 4Jiice tli« doje tif Cfuir]«iu>({Dv.'' 



1*>T 



L 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



CSAPTEH IX 

*^ T]i0 tumulL of Mioh flackni and burning villji^ ; 

Tbe cbout thftt every pi*yor (or njersy drow»» ; 
TliQ foldUnii' rcwl lii tlio niid^t of plUnyc ; 

Th» VMi] of fAmiriA in Iwlmgiii^rwl inwnit ; 
Weni hoJf ilia pow«r th&t fiUs tb« w«rJd with Utror, 

Wci'c lioJf ttie vodth iKSlowod OD Cftuipd aod ool 
t'lirDTi t^ roda«in tho hatoiui mtnd /rom i>rror, 

Thor« w«r« no nood of anuuld &ad fcvta." 

WuELS Uotiry woe ongagod in conflict witlj hia vAasa!fl» 
Gregory, up*jt» whoao nhouldora roeted ihu Tcepi^n^ibilitj of 
Cbriett^ndoni, wn.» oxorcifling his proro^Ativo lu Hood of th« 
Chnrch by diatributioj; pr&iuu or blumo 1o th« seoular powem 
In A letter dAtOf] 1080 aq<1 addrosa^d to '' WjDifun, KiOf; 
of the Engliali/' he exUorU that monarch lo persevere in tiv 
pnititicmi uf ku r»tigii)Q^ and rnndnded hin «pi«tla wiUi l]l|^| 
following words of bli^aaing^ — "Miiy the Almighty Qod mi^^ 
Father hiiDHelf mercifully ToucbBftfe^ st> as to ujApire and 
eatabhah ynUj that la this world, hy Lho m»nt of your virtTi<^^| 
your kingdom and power may iDcroaec, ai^d that id tho vrurlj^ 
to como He may iatroduce yuu with boly kuign to th^ 
hoarcDly kmgdom abovo which is inoofiCclTably better. 
" GivuD at Hotno Urn dth of the oalcudA of Mi^y." 
Tho Pontiff also addreaaod himeclf about this time " 
iha Bhtond." He dopicln the riooa of tho tinsee and caLU 
upon all faithful Chriatmns to abatain from thi?m and aa far 
aa poaeibU to live in peuoo with all mon. '* If any one gIiaU 
havQ carried arms except for defending Ina own jiiat rights 
or thoHfe of his lord or friend, or ulao t»f the poor, or more- 
over ID urder tu deFeud the churobes (and yi»l hv muat 

19a 







Clouds of War 

hftve taken tli«m without the advice of religious m^n nho 
hftve knowD how to impart wisely the counsel of ot«nial 
salvatK>ii), or shall hjLve poKsidKBed himself of other peopltf'ii 
gOQi]a niijiietly. or sb&ll have buTDt with &Dger AgfLtnsb 
hia uejghboar, snoh a person oaTi by po meaue pM>- 
dvoc the fniite of tnie repentance. For wo declare thui 
pftoauce to be fruitlesa which is so received thjit thopoult^nt 
retnAine is the same fault, or lu one similar to it whiob u 
oithcr worse or rather lGB9ecru)ii& 

"Given nt Rome on the {fth of the caJecdB of Uooombci." 

Bcdidee iBouiog these TOrious odmonttioni* to the faiUiful, 
Gregory was at this timo (1080) ocgagod iu one of lhf» mo«C 
pleaaiug ilutiee of his poutidcate, that nf chousing and oon- 
(irmtngto theSE-rvJce of the Chorch the tdosi fittiugand holy 
of her »(ODs. H« couGecrated Hugh of Dauphin^, a mouk 
only twenty-iBeven years of age, bat already distinguished 
for Inn Irnrnitig aiLd piely. to the See of Greoubli^ which Win 
name has tirndered world -rmiowii ad. The new prelate, who 
woA MO ton d«'r -hearted that " when beann^ confeamontf he 
minglad his tt*nrA with those of the poiiitaut/' behl the 
Bishopric until bis death fifty-two years later. 

Matilda, whii loved to acknowledge whatever waa beet in 
religion, science or art, took great interest in the futuro saint 
and "begged earneetly to bo iuatructed by bia good counaelif 
and a8sia:<*d by hia prayers/' She not only defrayed Uie 
axpenneti connected with his coneecration, but also presented 
thn Bishop, whose "yoiitbrpnnceEydeiiieanonrandunn«i«titning 
piety attracted all h(.-arta'' with a (ruaier snd " other epiittTi>pal 
HdornmenlsH" Her genemsity went still furtlier, for we loom 
that she also gave him '*m library of suilahlo Uioks"wbioh 
flhe horirherself translated and conaidered would be of sevTioe 
in his studies. 

Tbat same year the cIoulId of war began to gather npon 
tlw fioir horizon of Italy, nor were they dispersed until death 
cttyad the dei^troying band of the Gt^rman moiioreH. Th« 
loss of the Saxon leader bad paratysed the movenjeots of hi^ 

199 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

ff>l1nw«rB mid toft Uootj nt liberty tr> tlelennitte on a com 
of action tvbidi hiwl for iU utijoct the vubjngftUon of ih<m 
who bihd hitherto oppoAod liim. Uib chief iic vras dirccta^l 
ftgaiti8t QregOTj. who had plactrd htm beyond the? pale of tb^ 
Chnrch, ftnci he dooidcd by & bold movo to drivo him fron 
St Peter'ft and to sub«titut«j n PoctiH^ of hia own choice. F<>r 
this purpose bo bold a Connoi) at whiob h^, in commcD with 
thd aimoniftoal preUt^s who had booa exoomiBiin!ca!«d, 
elected hi« ohADOollnr to the Fftpal Chair. Thv was Gnibftrt 
Corregio, a native of Pmrm& mid Arebbi^bop of RaverAk. 
Carregio wj*« a man of high family and was both an eloqoMit 
ftiid leHTDed preliLte, iiltbongh he was not ohoaen for tllCie 
qnolifiuutiocn, but beoanae he wjta tho avnwed eaetny of ^ll^H 
i«g;niiig PoatlE V 

On beanng of Elenry's proceedings a solemn Council was 
0CkbT6Q«l in Rom« to proteat in the name of the Church 
ftgsiaBt tho thrcAtonod uauipation of the poatiik>al pre- 
rugativOp ^H 

Matilda cams from Luooa, vherd flb« had b«cn siayiof^.m 
ordor to ha prcGcnt ct tho debate open tho rcanhe of which 
l^ravo iaaues wore to depocd. She waa acconapaiuod by tht 
Bishop of Eog^V^ ft man of groat talent and i?xemplary Jiff 
but who was suspected of leaninge towards Qermaay, 

A oontraat to the time-Berring prelate was John tl 
Hfrmit. whose Hii^ldritiea ami zeal for the Church bad made 
bi« niune rQUowned^aad who also travelled with thoConntMS 
to Bomo. Ua had been eletcted Abbnt of CantmMi, ultbough 
be etill retained bis solitary habits and his familiar appeMi 
tion. 

Tho diecueaiou woe both b>n^ and aniniated, and w 
cburacteristic of thfi leadcBf^ncsa with whiob each membcsr 
the CouiioU avowed his opiciood, Th«> Hiahop of Rcggio^ ii 
the couree of a toof^ spe^oh. miggeeted, b order to aavo 
anaeemly wrunglmg und faelional diaputoa. that a com- 
pi'omJse ehonid be efTeoted. He propoaod vurtooe moaoa bj 
which eitber the anti-pcpo tnight be induced to retire &oai 



uto 




Matilda's Offer of Help 

bia poBitioD or, at leoef, mtJce a. eoJemc promiae not to iiiter< 
faro in Chnrob govcrtitneut. 

At thoae worda John the Hermit sprang; to \\\n Foct Anrl, 
forp^etting tbo preeenco of the Pontiff, electrified hie hearers 
with an impaflfiioned ep^ech which earned with it the 
ByiQp&thetlc conv-ictitrna of the eutire fisfiemblege. "No 
pt-Ace/' cried he in & voice of thunder, '' can b^ m&de which 
vill be A war declared against God nnd Bin Chprch." Turn- 
ing townrds Matilda, whose opinions he believed favoured 
tbeaeof the BtBhop, he continued, in a tone of deep reprcmch: 
** What I great aud valiant Connlese [ Thou the daughter of 
Saint Peter! Wilt thou i:otJsmt thu» to loao the frnite of all 
thy Iftbonrii, and give awaj the victory aocorded to the 
prajera of those who remain fatthlul to tho Church 'f No f 
No T The conteet is for the oauee of Christ Do not hemtAte. 
March forward ! The Oi>d of Battles will be out IVotector." 

This speech, delivered in atentoriiui tones wbioh reached 
every part of the hall and thrilled the listeners to naanimoae 
Agreement, wou an ajjproving smile from the Countees, who 
magoanimouflly overlnoked the allueiona to herself. En- 
oonraged by the general vigna of aasetit around bim, uid 
narrind nv!ny by bia fervonr, the orator declared, in decisive 
teriUH, tlial they would accept no PtintiHs hot those oF thnir 
own election, and that they wonld bold no parley with the 
ejccommimiottfd anii-pope. 

After the meeting had diapereed. Matilda and other noble 
memben of the loity remained behind to oonsnlt with ths 
iloly Father as to the i:>eat meanb of avoiding the £caudal to 
tho Chnntiat) religion which would arise were tbe anti-pops 
allowed to enter Borne. The pnuc««s promised the aid of 
her urroy to withstand hi^ pasengc by way of Tuscany, as 
she bad done thirty years sf;o. She uttered also to furnish a 
bfxiygnard for the Pontiff to escort him to her msjT]nisnte 
shonld he be fcroed— which was highly improbable — ^to 
rvlinquish his throne. 

Although Matilda's opposition to the pretensions of hia 



Kfotilda, Countess of Tuscany 

citniiflat^ to the lloljr Soc wjw nol uaexpcclcd by IImiij 
eihd n«TcrtJic1«Ki incurred hiu tuiger by thus opGuly embr&ciiig 
the CAUBo of the Tope and tho Indep^adence of IXaIj. Sbc 
lia(l« by tbuf public avcwal of ber opmiouA, decUrcd hotioU 
tbc opponcEit ot (iijrmfuay, and must therefore bo coDeidared 
ua u d:uigorou»^ cticmy who muritod eummtLry eliutiiicnaiJDt 
Havinpf, t%& lui bdb«ved« offectaally dcpnrod Grcf^ory of bie 
authority, imd being roUcvod by the di-atb of Ruilolph ffOD 
all fear of a SaxoD miniv duTiDj; hu ftbaOQce, ho prepared for 
an bienmon into Italy. 

LctAving bis kingdom in charge of hia enn-io-Tnvr, Fr«4«fie, 
the new Dake of Scmbia, wbo Imd inarri^ the Qonmn 
princ(M«, Alioe, hu hurried tn the Atp8. For the rvocnnd linie* 
and in inmre EftJtK»n»bto weather, he eiTc^ctt^d the [>ftrilout 
paasagti which bo bad bufure uuderlak«>u on his way to 
Oftnoasftv Then biu com pari iooii wcrt; two womou and a 
helplfiui babfij but nnw, ms he rc^fluotud with complocoDcy, bo^ 
wae nccompfktiied by the flower of tlio imperial armj. 
over tbclmgs of compunction may hava croeeed hie mind 
bo once again set foot in lin\y, thoy bad nu efToot upon 
pnnitivc intentions. His purpose wae fixed and immov&bli 
He calculated that by the very «mldunut!Bift of his invaaion, 
and by the rapidity of bis wnrlike movementc, t^ td 
soKulled enamie« completely by surpriae. 

Eumciiri* of Henry'tt approai'h had, howevi-t, in upTti 
hta preoiTitiona, reuched liotli the PuiititT and MatiMii. 
Gregory, wbeaA gentle eoul shiaak from bloodshed* wai 
^roatly conocrued at the newa. According to tbc follwtoi; 
letter addresAdd to " those upon wboBc Oddity he reckoned 
in Lombardy/' he was diatiuioted also vritJi rcgzxrd to the iaaue 
of Ihd GOQDiiig oDCouutcr. '< If our daughter Matilda," bifl 
oontinnoN, ''eaiinnt oustutn our efTorte, what will happen f 
You do not kBow the Bpiril of tho BoldieriL What will 
happen if they refutte to ruEircb lince they say that all reai^l- 
anoe is nselesa, and nothing romainu but to submit to th« 
Emperor. Act, th«n, tbut lice CuuuLeM may be able to 



icy, bo 

WhaH 

lindafl 

>vahlfifl 
v&aion, 

pitf fit 




The Feeble Arm of a Woman 



rc«kop on yonr Bucoour ae soon us the King enters Lombardy/' 
" There wae scarcely hd angwor to tliie app(>al/' wo Aro told, 
ftod tiiQ fi&me aiitbority adds. " Matilda was not dieconraf^od." 
Doiuso doptftres the tact tbat "uf lUo raoo of the mij^^hty 
Mar^^raves of Tiuoany there reranina but the feeble arm of b, 
vroTnan to stttnd between the Pontiff otid Uia ouemic-s/' 

A fvraveenma was at band, and on the istme of ihe cog tent 
di^pATtdedi as the CotiDtess was well aware, not only the 
ireedoLD *jf the Chiirvh but alar* that ot her beloved conutry. 
Fur frina recoiling from the furmidable prospect whid) lay 
befure her, she prepared, with all the courage of Ler race, to 
IbwArt the threotened iuvostou by h t^>irited defence ^'hinat 
her vindictiT-e kiiieiriaD, She would uot admit even to her- 
self the poBBJbility of defeat, nnd in all oon^denco in the 
ffooceae of her arms ahe anmmened her vaasala to rally round 
her for the protection of their liberti^au 

Tho Tuscans rose ae cn& tnon at Iicr bidding. Arming 
themBclvcfl with wbatever implemonte of warfare layDoereffl 
U>hm\d Xhtsy meh&d d^vn the mountjiiTi tilopeit and Hoolced 
in fluob numbers iu the valleyB that the bihs and dales seemed 
teezsing with hiunan life. 

Thn pnucesa was much afT^cled by ihiH u p onfameom 
ft^txwer to her call, and m her »wiK:t, moiluUteJ TOioo she 
thanked tba peasants for their prompbueoa and allegmnee. 
Sho «poke to them of the gravity of the aituation. of the 
scriousDCBB of the etmggJe iii which they were to bo engaged* 
and of the superiority both in eqaipin«nt aod nnmbera rf tbg 
euemy. She reminded thum that by prayer andsteadfustntflft 
all these obstacles to their euocees conid be overcome, and 
Lhnt upon tbeir resolutien aiid courage hung not only their 
own fatrfs bat the future of ihutr cntintry, 

Uer spt-ceh was answered by a burat of cheering CrtirQ the 
men, who declared themselves roady to follow her to de^th, 
and amid their acclamatiooa ahe xnouuted her horec and 
pWcd herself at the hoad of the devoted band' At theaight 
oi the boautiful and graoeful figure of their commander, who^ 

»3 






Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 



cd hci to 
I to oaeifl 



in all the pride of womMiLoud^ dextvruuiKly reintffl iu her^ 
pruDciog 6t««d, the exoitem^ol of her followirni oonld oo 
longer bo hcM within boundpL WiUi hmd And rcpcftl«d 
ohouts of "S&int reterl" and ' Matilda.1'' thoy coiunutti^ 
ibemHclves to bor guidaiKie nnd diaorotioii. Mid t>c|^c<i hci to 
oooduct them to tbe oonffiot. 

Their uTtthuaTnnm wha contAgioiiik and vritb a 
born of courage tbo intropid Couutoaa E-ode forward 
the Qtirmtin forcca nil nnpropoicd nit nhc n&a And at onoo 
offt>r«d battle. Dndeten*d by the overwh«hniD(c ntimb«n of 
the OD«myr the mountnin^^rH giUantly oppoMd Ihomaelw t9 
the Attack of tlie vroU-ana^d aoldiera arrayed b^ore th«m, 
and with the battle cry of ''Hatildaf" daahcd valtantljn 
Fnrwftrd. ^1 

Again and Again wore they driYen back. And agair and 
agaiii liiey rehirried lo the charge with en impcLutmity which 
thrertteued to c^rr^' all before it In Tain they throw them-^_ 
aelvM ttpon the ranks cif the vcrtoraua; they were nnahlo b4^| 
withataml the dincipliucd mov<<inontdi of thct imperial tr^opa 
In vjiin the gallant TuBcans Btrngglcd to maintain tb^ir 
ground. Grudualiy they were forced to yiold their pocitJoiii. 
Th^ lines w¥ivered and broke*, and the onward meh of the 
woLl-aTD)ed foe iatn their midM threw them at length ifito. 
faopeJesB coDiojuon, 

Finding the day wua lost, Matilda, who had »n«taij>od ni 
iajnry dm-ing the contest, yielded to the advice of her knightf' 
and gHTB the alguol for a retroat- She unwilftngly withdrmtr 
from tbe aceue of eoriAiL't with the reziiuant r>f her army, 
narrowly e«(?apiDg the German Mnldiera who endoiiTOursd 
intercept her flight. 

Following up his advantage, Henry pnrsned hi« 
flouthward^i, hie way being traced by burning rillagei 
devastated bijmeatendR, Soorely had hiecooein thrown hcnelf 
into Florenoe than be appi^rud before the gatos and oum- 
munoed to mvo«t the " City nf Flowers and Flower of Cities." 
Thna had btmn mi opportunity <if pr«pariug for a prolonged 



I 

*r army, 
ourod ta_ 

ipca and" 




Matilda the Invincible 



A«Mult'> 'ind utWr oTidnring the untold bardalnps and borrors 
oF an QDexpeoted 8i«ge for eome wooks it coold hold ont no 
longer. Tbo ConntCEV. seeing tbe post wtis nntenablo, gave 
tbo iDhabitautd Io&t^a to capitulate and to make Lho bcttt 
torm* tboy oould with tbu King wbile Bbe liereoU humod tc 
the dtifeiioQ of PadQA. 

She had c|iiLtted Flarencd none too Boon. Soarooly had 
dh& passed through the gAtea, iinpeTceived ia th^ darku^s 
and ci^fuBioti. than the German soldiers poured in ^m 
another 4uarter ard aacked and pillaged to their haarta' 
content 

Tbe terrified iiftiA^ns orowded into the oatfiedriil and 
chnrcheR for aufetj, and from the saored preciucU vii^wed 
iritli horror and dianiay tbe ccmtlagi-atioiia which mnrkod 
the dcstmction of their hontGa. Loud ones of ftnguieb and 
&ng«r TOBt) into the air ae tho ooaqucrora, aatod with rdvoogc 
and laden with th« cheriahed ponaoeiaiona of tho FloTOntinaa, 
quitted the Boene ol' ddatmction and passed through th« dis- 
mantled walls. Traoiphiij^ thu ^)wing crops and tendfit 
viutMi with wifiktid TQckleesnafia beneath th^ir martial Croad, 
the soldiers proceeded on thoir way to spread deeolatioD 
throughout MatUda^a marquieata. 

It waa evident tbat l^adua conld not long hold out. and 
again the great Conntusa — never so graat as now in the time 
of trial — waa obliged to ovacuato tlie oily bofore the arrival 
of tho GermaDS cab off her paaiiage of dxiL 

Mntildr* retained throughout this cruoial time "that 
admirable pret^fiuco of mind which had hitherto neutralised 
the direst evils of her altnation, and which at this juncture 
■hone forth vrith still greater lustre.^ So far frona being 
paraljsod bj tho dangers which threatened her on every 
aide, ahe maintained her high standard of ootixagc — not the 
GcnragA of dMpair but of aotioa — whi^h only awaited th« 
right moment to rialc au engagement Her army was b<tin|]; 
Gonitautly reinforced by her a^octi<}nnt9 mid loyal oountry- 
But thgir mrvicca, thimgh fre«lj and wBliogly 

30$ 



L 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

tondvrod, would be but of little aamat&Doe id an open batik, 
And of this Matitda vtm nwoi^ 

Tlko pfincdiu, therefore, dboraetly r««o1vei) to watt fmtil 
flb« could ««« her wny to makn ft iiUnd Agniii^t the Kii^. Id 
Uw mfumtifno ftim itUiwly but nLoadily retard bfiforc hm 
triuiiipLuit Aoldiers. IIoAdmg her troops ehe rode on is 
foarlom Hocurity Llirougli her di>ii]ataii, &ad, ivitli th« sljQliijr 
o{ ail experieucod veteran, heradf enpcriDt^ndod the ordertjr 
retreat. 

Alaa ! tho tido of mififortnnc eoomcd to bo B>ot against the 
CountoAf, HTi>iywhf;r6 her ^lant bftud, dow be<MJtnui^ 
«a(1l7 thian^, met vrjth a «on<iA of raveriea m tbo mftoy 
baroMinp; ttkirpnihttt with the imperia) aoldiera. Town ofttr 
town and village after viUftge fell into the han<ia of the in- 
vaders, who followed likia hounds doacly npon the h«eUcE 
the r^tiriiig Matilda. With dauntless coum^e she main- 
tninod the caiiHe of freednm, twaii thiingh mIis saw hct 
poMeaiiirinM falling from ht-r tike v^aiTering leaves Lenooth 
the oruel bloat of th^ nutumn wind 

At length tliere was but one etroughold left in wbioli the 
great Countess ooold make her last sl^od for civil and 
religioui liberty. Thia waa the caaUe wherein ohe Srot drew 
breaUi and which she had tilway^ tenderly regarded as her 
home. H&re ehe woB safe, for even weire the enomy bold 
eni>ugH to scale the ragged hoighte from which ii reared xU 
proud cr>3«t to the blue sky of hoawn, the aoUd triple walU 
which Burroundad it offered an impaeesble barrier to alt on- 
welcomo iutrtjdor?. 

The uetivity and bustle coDAoquent on Matilda's arrival 
and hurrifid prepnrationa for dtjfence brought before the 
memory of Doniieo the fitirriu^ events of long aga He 
depicts "with iHtT pi^n of n rrudy writer" the martial srroj^ 
whicli wvji Ibnueil^ displayed within tke stxuugbold. "'TfaSJ 
warlike sg>inb of iU% roiiudein AWoke in the old fortress/* he 
tells ua, "andCaooesa believed ita youth woti relumed «& J 
that it saw again the glorioui days of Asso." The poet's 

M6 




Matilda ac Bay 



inspiration £lled the besieged with eTitUuaiaflm "nml mAgoiGed 
eTOD the weok^st ot ito defendera into borocs." Never siace 
tbe daja of her gnxudmre had w> mauy perBoufi remained 
withiQ tbo walls of Canocea. The donghtj' ^vfLrrior hod his 
tnined aoldiera to koep w&tcb and ward on ita ntmparta, and 
O^oewerd admitted within tho citadel daring the time of war 
hut tliose who eould eoutribiiU> towards iu def^^nce. Hie 
deecendaat, however, wag leas exacting but more humaD^. 
Sh€ received nil who from pnidenoe, fear or w^^knt^ssannght 
iti» lordly eh&lter. The lerrified towijsmen and peaMnrte 
toiled lip ite steep ascent with Iheir siok or ageil relativcM^ 
ofteu carrying tli*? f*"el>I^ on their own ehoiiMerA Hitbtir 
tlicy brought tWrgaat« and innLes and eiiob artieTc^ hh wtrre 
of valoe to themselves, such as implemente for agriculture 
ftod vine cnltivaiioD or treasured memctrialn of their happy 
liomo& Soarvoly had Uatildo, with incTcdible cupidity, 
▼iotaolkd and ^arriooDed her atiooghold for tlie impendiug: 
aiego than Ihithor marohod the aveu^ng l^og. 

What bitbor momones must the sceui^ hitve revived id the 
uiiid of Henry as h« gazed oooe oj^ain npOD the fortreee 
rising with forUdditig aspect before him, " He would/' re- 
marks the hiatoriao. "have giv«n the price of four thctiaand 
golden crowns nnd more never to havontien italnwora," The 
poaiLiuD w^ diaiig<?d, however, since his [asl visit Not oa a 
aapplinnt nnd ^lu titetnccre penitent was be now upproac^uug 
the frowning baltlemeuts. but as a victor and in hifl true 
obBTacter as on avowed enemy of the Church. 

Jt had always boon the policy of the Morgravca to guard 
this bulwark of their northern frontier, and Matilda had 
invariably followed tho saoie riilo- There was bat one 
ACGoesiblc side of the cuwtlo, and this wan so well defended 
that it was imposBible for the King to foroe his way even as 
for af^ tlio outer wall Availing herself of this ent. the 
Countess, with indefatigable vigour and inoooecivable 
rapidity of movomnnt madn eirnstunt <ixenrat<fns. In spite 
of tiie walcJi of tjie German ontptists she parsed uiichaUenged 

ao7 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



n 



p 



2nm tba Bteep decline and " conveyed food and ^rtoM to tb*^ 
Bnrrouncting villftgee, fm^Uea itiiil garriiMOA/' 

In vain Hniiry, almost mridden^ 1)j tlita j)rf)!<>ng«d Mni 
Mijcceasfnl oppoaitinn, fttt^mptrfl to oiilrap ^ift adversary ; hv 
wMi no mfttoh for litsr euperjor adruitimaH, fii v«in Int fjivd, 
by ui&kiug ft fiJiDt of vnthdrawiog hiB troops, to iDiliioe htf 
lo quit oven f^jr aD hour Lot point of vantuga It vru 
iuipoBBibtc to throw Uio VAryrtntcgiit off her g:ii«rd- "Sbe 
waa not/' aa Douiso romfirke with pndc, *" duped by thcfc 

rua«0» sho ro-nnitcd hor troopo digpoxeod m tho diatnot* ■**? 

conntccl upon Ihft hdp of God." ^ 

Matilda appears to hAva pofiBefu^ed in a remarkable- dof^«« 
the itigQuuity of her Bex, and this ahe put into practice Sbtt 
saw a way out of every dilemma and baffled her cousin at 
every turn. " Even if it were poaaible/' records tb« appc«- 
oialive DoDizo, " to tell of her oxplcita. her virtBM, nay vertw 
would nf)t he Hufficient were they an niuneronn na the atara" 

But Henry did not mean to b« thwarted in UJa int«Dtlon 
orBOCiinng CnnofiHa. Hia pride wae up in arm^ ft galled 
hifi haughty spirit tii feel that for b};e soound tim» h« waa 
outwitted by hia relalive. How wae it possible for bim 
retiiru to Qertnany with hia manhood shamed at being thi 
defeated by a woman of his own kin ? His name would 
held in Boorn by every wandering muaicinn who tniTelled tho 
length And brofrdth of the empire, and who in their aocfl 
wore wont bo extol the deede of the bmve. 

With grim determination to forod his couaio to oapitulmte, 
he noAde preparations for a prmtra-i^ted and etiTere invt'etmo&t 
otthe o&fltle, tntating by catting otf euppliee to 
into aubmi&fflon. 

Htti plans were carried out even i^ the i^mallMit 
and nut &o avenue of eacape waa loft to bh« C^mnteaa. ft 
was now impneeible for her to establisb communication witJi 
the village, aod the approachee to bbe hei^^hUi wore strictly 
guarded by a cordoQ of aentiocle, who were ordered, oodi 
puD of death, to allow do oDe to paea their linea. 

X0 



raa 

I 



leet deBB^ 




Sortie from Canossa 



Thus deprived of outeido relief it fte^med aa if the garrison 
could no longer hold out, and but for the example of hopefbl 
courage 0at them by tho priooe«s they would have been re- 
ducvd to deapair. DouUo hiiuitelf^ vrlio appears to have taken 
part of the ciiinTnn,n(l Ag%in, finrl^i iit:tf>mrice in vetKee e&lolliog 
the her 111 wn of the intrepid M^ltildu, whose unfailing cheeriiil* 
D^flSsaotAiDed the fainting heart* of herperiple* "Aloii*flh6 
resisted thefiwordn around her aud th^ enginea of Tar. The 
attack threw them all into terror. Matilda comtxited no 
lcini;:er, but did not oak for mercy." Even her 0iJi:ft?»or. the 
•ftintly and aged An«olia, hau placed ^n record his aatoniah- 
tnonl tvt har powor« of rooistancc and oudurance. Ho flpeaks 
with admiratii>n of tho woudorfu! manner in which "her 
Ifentle frame eastainod all the hurdeiia of civil government 
and th« fatignut of actual wrir." 

At the very moment when the Counteea had eihaniit&d 
oJl h^r rt-Hour[?es, and the rodu4;tiou of Canoseii appeared 
i&ovltAbti;, a plan suggeHt«d itself to lier fertile imagiuation 
by which ahe might nut only effect tie escape i»f the garrifloo, 
bnt oZao by one bold stroke letrievc her fortuneo. An 
opportunity aoon ooourred for reducing her ach^oift to 
practioe^ and of thio MatiM&, vritb her u^ual qnickneaa of 
perception, gladly availed heravlf. 

One early morning in October ahe noticed a duck raitt 
which hiy over the valley, and hiding the oamp from view 
roae like a pillar of uloud and comm^noed to envelop the 
caatle in itn grey vapour. Ndw waa Matilda's time for 
autiou. SIj© vailed to her aid a few tninty innu, and prfr 
pared, unilnr tiie friendly ahelter of the fag» bo make her 
project^ deaceut upnn the enemy. Her troupe were. a« ebe 
knew, acquainted with every inch of the ground, and follow 
tag har load they aallied furtK their bearta beating almost to 
voffooatioD, a nilent^ dcaperate band, bonod on a dangeroua 
advontaro. 

Moving cautioiuatj leat a falling fragment of roek should 
betray them, and favoured by the obsourity, they doaoended 
o 309 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

tho ragged h«ighta aod drew cIom to t1i» camp, onohaUi 

b^ the eentineln, bDd iitiH«(-*xi ]>y Ibe ftoMtor*, irLo wen Bt lH 

■unk ID BliLiQlier ^H 

With her iisunl furRUiuught Fur tho «afbty of ber mibjee^^ 
the Coanti^fiH gave etrict orden tbnt tii€ triple gatea ahonlit 
bo firmly Becai'^d behind her, and iver« &ot to ba ope«)ed 
until the gftrrison was cither rclicTod or r«dtK«<l to tho Imt 
extremity. Thiie, in th« ovont of the £ailurt> of tho iortk^ 
tho TiUogera and others within £ta sboltormg w&Ub woqU 
hti safe from the fato whiob threatda^ tbdm ahoald Henry 
effect an entranoe. 

Aa the brn^o TiiJioanjt wound th«fr way down the flte«p 
decline autl were loet to view in the mi»t, John tho H^raut 
who WAS in th« caatlo, prepared to aid thi^in by his prayera 
Plac'iug huaaelf at the head of the monka who Lad au^mhlvd 
thither foT protectiou, ht led the way to tho hjghcat tower uf 
the oatttle. Auimntcd with eeal for the cauae in wbicb 
Matilda was riskitig her life, and with a livoly faith in il« 
ultimate' eucoeea, tho bkob-rcbed proooeaioD lifted up thdr 
voico^ find htptily ohjkutcd aloud piuilina of victory and 
tnutnph* Thoir conBdence revived tb« military Bpirit of 
ddfaudori, who were awTiiting m dread expectancy naws 
thetr comrades, and bomoftiiing their forced inActioiL 
na fight while tha Abbot prays," they cried. The excitamaDt 
become Gi^ntagioiiii, tlie trumpets aoun^Ied the niftntj, and, 
(liHTeganliug m their eagHrneAH the ordcrre of the CunaUui^^ 
they paued thiough tho courtyards and mahad forth a «il^| 
and diaorgauiEied medley. Startling the elumbering Oongani 
from their tearj' sleep, they thr«w thcmeclvca upon tb^_ 
imperial array almoet eimultaneoualy with the band led faflj^ 
Matilda, whose noiay ^uctin^s of their comradea aarvad to 
add to the general ccufusioa Fortunately for tho rash 
TuHcana th^ fog pravented the eaamy from paroeivini^ th^ 
numerical wcakneee^ and Henry, in aaticipatioa of botag 
Burroundud, gave orders for a retreat bafora the path abould 
be blouked. Thd itafldard-bearor, loarcaly awakg, aoiwd hit 



i 



3ia 




Victory for Matilda 



chftrgp, but,, incumbered with the weigbt of his armotir nnd 
unuervetj hy tlie fiuddeiin^B of tbe mciveirieDt, fell frcm h\u 
boree^ Er<f lie could rvjom bis Irnop he wns eiUTroiiiided^aod 
ibcug^b at MatUdu'a (^oanuAQ^ be VdA Allowed liia libbrtj, this 
fttftodArd remained in the poeeewion of tbe heroic daughter 
of Italy- 

tio quickly had the atiair poesed in point of time tbfrt the 
|)rifict«8 oould Boaroely f^aliae that the victory was bore, ftod 
won, moreover, without the loss of auy nf her bravo men. 

As iu a dream Bbe Itstened to tbe retreuting; atepa of her 
foe«, whose forioa were fiuutly outlined in the miftt whiob 
soon hid tbem G»>mpleteiy from view. Recallioi; her 
fullowere, who wer9 Bpoiling tba deserted camp, Miitildtt 
returned to the csistle to relieve the feKTS of the garriBon. 

Ah she wearily climlied the hteop rook upoo which htr 
fortrosH reared itft mamive towere, she xecalled to miud her 
ftrnl battlen Sixteen ycArs bad poased since «bo» a gitl cf 
6.ft<^eii, li«d riiked \ivT lite in actu&l warfAie for the defence 
of her country and tbe rights of the Church. For the aecond 
timn, OS ehe reflected, the weak arm of a, woman had re- 
strained the impeiial power iu its enoroAob meats upon oivil 
and rutijpous liberty. 

From the heights above there was borne upon her ear 
tho rise and fall of tbe erultant #i3vga of t}^e monks, In 
ignorance of their wpi;Ldorr(il delivernorc, tbey gave expres- 
mou it> tbelr uouHdeuce m tJia Lord of Butitti in hyitjim full 
of tniHt and faith. 

A» Matilda near«d tbo castlo the joyt'ul news preceded 
bcr» the masaivo gntcn rccoilud on their hinges, and tbe 
btifiicgod poured forth to greet and congratulate th^ir brave 
defend ore. 

Tbe CountesB proceeded first of all to the chapel, where 
the bdd tbo captcrod trophy upon tbe altar, and proatrating 
herself in prayer ab« retimied thniikr to God for Ute merci- 
ful protecciou. 

It was a consoling thougbt that tbe bniised spirit of ber 

Hi 



L 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

mother had becD apiLred tho knowledge of th« dedolatiOD of 
ber bfr&nUfiil murquiuto. Slio woa ipnTod ^Jao tfao poi^oftut 
pang of fooliD^ thftt it waa ber a^ph^w'e hAud that hftd 
vrougbt »t> muob mieff^rtuno in eaiui; TuMUiy. 

The Aiiporior (^mer&lahip disptajed by tb4 Or«At CotmUa 
had ooQverted her well-timed aud orderly retreat to O&aom 
(nto a triumph, and the final sortie Mgnm«t the Oemao 
troope held eecured for her a weU-earcied ropriov4^ Thm 
■Qcoeu of ber exploit had inapirlttrd hvr people ami Uft 
Uatilda berAeir&t tiberty to cnnr^ntrat« her mind iipttn t^in 
best TtmuDA *yi providing for Oregorj'a sofdt/ in the •^reiit vt 
H^nrj's inTf^ahnmit of the cApiml. Th« moiiftrch** d«f6it 
vria, JM ahe ^oll knew, only it temporary reverse, and Ao 
intaibiyely felb that ho would rovcbge hiowtfLE by marchiitg 
iipna Rome, 

Now that eho wos relieved from the proftcaoo gf Ibo 
enemy she was fro<» to vtrengtbi^n tho def^QOCfl of ber people 
Sho made a rapid diAposal of bor military ro«niarc«e, and! 
Uflned diri^cttonB for th& fortidcattoa of b«r towns and 
their occupation by cho«en troope 

CanoBsti, fortunately, was well i^nppli^ with wat^r,^ an< 
to the rfficerH of the gftrrlean nbo ciitnintcrd tliti cimrge c( 
viutunlliiig the cAfitle, Aiid Anpplyiiig (he iniu&tee with im- 
pleEneotn fi»r their protectic^ii daring her Kbxpnce* ^H 

AH these detfiils and m&nj otheie were planned oot wit^^ 
metbcidical prci^isicQ ere ebe nought her c^uoh OQ thoni^bt 
that had followed her Ticl*jry, 



Lnd 



1 Tha Bight RevpT^d Mdtiuign^m' GnulweSI, Dtiinir*ti^ PrditA 
Elfi lat^ HaliQpRB, Pop» l^o XTll., vho pud witli thnt FontilT a ridt to 
QuioaHi. in Ootobr^r lATT, wrifv£ thua :-^^*One thwp wt< ilid f^iid unidsi 
ih« crutn^Hog mlc^^ and ttiAt vu hh hliiiTifUnce Af fm^h n]t«r tpriog 
wM^T, Beyond fiarelT lAi^tiag' It «nd pr»Eioiincing ti ilnlHniui. I &m 
ftf^td n« made Kitio other meof it Lhaa in givenunpalvw t frva AQlntiett 
rtt Aice, neck juid fanm^i^ Our pil^Lnm-ge to CkoooM mm M«dinpllfJi«d. 
Tniljr, thATtt w not tniith to bcc, nnd I fflir that fenr Umimn»n wlH <flm 
to ipve thd tiMti, thr tuontv nniE th(< TalMTur nwrcBmy lo icn^urt a drati^t 
of wnit-r from that ix>ck/ Imight*^— BLDttiuirTtJ {Qttho^ «----.•- 
June 1 90S) 

ata 



1 




To the Aid of Gregory 

At break of da; ^TodTtla, who «e«med impervioON to 
&tigiic, was Alr^odj ttstir and ruakmg a tour of tho OTtatlol. 
BbeaacerUined, by aa cxlianfitive ecrutmy, the ejatem em- 
ployed for its defence^ and by a comprehenfiive mental 
calculation of itB reeieting powcn formed bor opmion of 
lU term of enduranoo. Qh^ roAdo a tborongh invpoction 
of the troops, tosting thoir efiQcioncy and appcmting to ooob 
hia fi«)V«r^l dutitfs. Slie waruad them to be alert, to raAintain 
conjitact and steady wfttcti, to b* obedient to those in oom- 
mand. and to k^p on friendly terma with theSr GOmradeB, 
8bo mlieved Umir apprDb^ruwonH by telling tLum thikt tbsy 
need Dot fear any immediate repriaala on th« part of the 
King, and asanrfid th^m tlint if they carefully cnrnod ont 
her iiyttiicti JDB th*?y would be iu eecnrity uiitl] her return. 

Haring ifieaed these admc>iiitiot]B and inetructious for the 
g^nidanee of her people, the Ureat Counters paaaed into the 
privacy of her omtory, where ehe invoked tto aid of Hcftvoc 
on ber momt^ntoDa uudertaking, and beciouf^bt the mouka to 
unites in prnyor for tho sjifcty of the Pontiff. 

H<jr arrauj^i^unjiite were, as far aa buiuan wiedom oould 
foreeoe. completed, and it waa still early momujg wheD, 
acGoinpanii'd by a email cavaleade of faftbfoJ kiiighta, sbo 
oommeuced her journey in Rome. 

In tlie meantime, what pen flhall vc^Dtiir» to desortbe the 
iDortifi cation of ihe ^iug at iho esiwperatTag lepiilae vrbit^h 
had et^mm^d Lie bitliL'rto contJEiuoaa bide of Aucceas- 

Through the Taporona curLfLin vhioh hid hie own and 
Matilda *a men from view came the triumphant aounde which 
celebrated hie oouain'a rictory, and which cDvenomed hia 
aoal with bate* It waa impoaaible, while the miat laated 
to tAbco any deoieive aotion, and when it oloared away the 
eun ahoue ont upon the wrdokaf*o of hie camp an^J upon the 
caatJo wherein faia enemy rented in anfoty- 

From hia youth np Henry's irritable temperament could 
ill brook the leoat contradiction, and thu 'ight of the towerc 
which, for the aecond time, had witueaaed bia huntiliatioD 

313 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

filled him with unntt^rAMe rage. Mju!<]6n^ at hm defMl 
fttid At baviii^ wftatt^d BO m&uy hoara on the voxaUouw Aioge, 
be withdrew his Bcattored force* amd rcetored them to t&etr 
oeUAl mititAiy preciaioix All tb« vindictive p^aaiona oihai 
Ekotore wero urouaed by M^tildjt'fi succesEhil rc«ietancc. ood 
gmiLrtiiag onder the eoiUQ of hie defeat, he thought of iiothtii|( 
bet the* realisBtioc of hi« plADi for reren^. Thoro wb« but 
one way lo draw her from the entrenchnieat of hercaetlo, 
and that waa by a march upon Rtime, He aurrDiAed tb^t h«r 
Jtiyally Ui the PoniifT woult! cause h^r to prnceed to Wk relwf 
with all ptfHaiUe Oili^rfucw, nrid it wi^nld bu nu vtuiy mnUEr 
for hU lorce« to surround the Bmall niimb^rr «he ooald muster. 
Tbe reversea which hod drivcD her to h«r fortroas wen the 
prelude to the ruin by which bo intended to humble bet 
proud spmt Once be had gained poaaeaaion of Bome hk 
path would be claar and he oould cniah hia dual foaa at o 
Uow. 

But Henry had not gnugod the fertility of hia consul 
reyouroe^ nor the celenty with wliioh she reduced th«m to 
action. Wh&u La arrived before the walla of th« Eternal 
City, oan6d(iQt of an eaay and unopposed entraEwe, be found 
the lEiKhibitjiutH iu nnns, aentiDoTHpriNtedutt ibe wii1lFi,and the 
gBrtes closed HgHiikHthirn. TIil< Great CouTitt«ii!iad anticipated 
hia iuteulious nnii hud hurried to Eome i^ warn the PoDtifl 
and to take meaewrefl for enauring bin safety. Her cmmng 
had been hailed with unreatraincd delight by the faithful 
citizeoai who regarded her aa a veritable tower of otreiigtb 
aitd placed the utmost rcJinnocf upon her oounsela, 

Henry oetribliahed hie army oti a apot knowD a« Kero'e 
Field, an nppropriftte name aud si^ilioant of tbo vengeaooe 
heiateudcd to take upon nn old maa and a woman forrceistiog 
hie wickedneae and his tyranny. 

For moTo than two yaurn the imperial artny Uy beneath 
the city gates awaiting with feverish impatienoe the end of 
the aiege. The conragr of thn homrduving Gurmana waa 
only auitaiued by tlie proapect of th© rich plunder they would 

W4 



:a 



1 



I 



i 



Nero's Field 



«iijoy when cnoa they had effected an entniDfiQ. They Bctffired 
frcim (Iri^dfnl ImrdMbipe; uvur four hituiired m^ti die<) from 
illucAS, Hud it was report e<l amoag tha ItaliFina thdt theswonl 
of 3t Potcr httil ctrickoti theoj. Thej became weakened bj 
foTor B^d Hgue, and thd eiimmer he^t and mAlarifi, which the 
Kittg escaped by going into iht> hillB, etilJ further dimimahed 
thoir nvpidly-thinuiDg QumberBn Nor were they much better 
off during the winter moDtbe. TbebeAvjn)ada. we are told, 
ftddod to tho moDj diffieaJtiofl of trnnsport, and the supphe* 
of food often failed or were inadequAte to their wanle. In 
Addition to their satferings uid privations the beiiegsrs were 
barasB^ and annoyed by the frequent night Surtien crgnniMrd 
by MAttldn, which deprived them of rest by re<jiiiring them 
to be for ever un the alert "That heroine of theTdiddte Ag«ii 
rpHiflted with n (vmrnge and audacity that Ancient Uom« 
would ULrt have dihavuwed. It let^Djed that her unshaken 
attttohment bo Gregoiy had gireo hei eomethiug of hid ch«r* 
acter aud at bis grandeur of soul." ^ 

" Her attacks were made on tbo mo«b bardy," Donito 
triumphantly remarks, and iilled the foe with such terror llut 
tho aDti-pope adkcd Henry " if it woro not poaubli? to tnake a 
diverdon and at all oofit« t^ke the Counteae ma a prii9on«r to 
Qermany/' But Matilda appeared invulnerable. Her troopa, 
recdered confident by having kept the King at bay so loii^% 
ftnd filled with the spirit of retaliation ao esHf^ntiutly char- 
acteristjo of their nation, hurled defiance and raillenea from 
tluj nunparta at the King and tho anli-popo, StimuUted by 
the ipirit uf th» Great Couuteas and her knighto ihu Roiuaua 
ware wary and vigilant, and maintained unue^Lalug watcb 
from the walla of tbo capital over tho moTomente of the 
•otdiety. 

Tbo Oermana were in no mood to reply to tbo taunta of 
tha Italiaua. Tho vanoua troubles wUieb had overtaken thotn, 
and tho low of ao many of thoir comradoA. had rendered tbem 
oblivjoua of all aave a deiire to return to their native Land, 

" Vcigfe 
"$ 




Matildfi, Countess of Tuscany 

TW Kin^, im l^d oontniry, was Ktlll }nutj weaving F4ih 
of TeT»»ga upon tlie Po|)e ftud MatiJdft, He a^vor relaxed 
fur ao iDfitniit his ci&ftj'' nbeervfttion of tho gat«s which 
Us prey in e&fe keopiog. BjpromiBecf rev«rd be««tAb 
oomintuiioAtioD irithm tbe city, and n plno was pot 
oxoootii^n by whtcli to dir«rt the ftitentioD of the g&TTisoB 
from the etriot guard o£ the wiklle. 

"^Serorai houece in tho vicinity of Saint Potor's ** woro ««t 
on fire by the tnutcrB, and but for the preeonoo of mind of 
Gregory a B^riou8 ooikflagration would doabtl^M hsTt 
ensued, M 

The aged Pontiff at once prooveded in thti «pot from ^ 
whence the fiameH yvem already §pread]ag with rapidity. 
Convincing the* excitfid p'lpalace, by hie own oxntnpio of 
cahuncaa, that th«re was no danf:«r to be appr«heiidod be 
GAtised the soldiers to roturu to thoir dutic«, and ho himooK 
with the aid of the people, subdued the flaniee. So i^oickly 
wae the ^r& ertiuguished that a report ^ned crcdonco that 
it was aouompliahod by miraouloua meaua It was eaid that 
Gt«gory eimpfy mado the dgn of tho croes ovqt tbo spot 
whoDce the flamoe wero isauing and forbade tb^r furthflr 
progrcfis, and that they imn^ediatoly obeyed, tholr fi^rca 
glare dying away into utter bla^rknesa. 

The Poatiff'g prnmptneflB of action allayt-d tJio 
which Henry had connt&d upon as the prulude to a geneiVhl 
pnD](7. a state of affiUrH by which he hopsd toprnliL Ho loat 
aolf-rtiHfmoe and became leBB aud ]«ea coufident of effecting 
an entrance iQtt> the dty. 

Tirt)d of the inaction hb ag:^ and again quitted hia 
camp with a company of vetfiano and threw himsolf upon 
tho utiprott^otud propciTty of Matilda in the hopee of indu 
her to r«turu to Taaoony* 

But MiLtiUta waa proof against thia fearful and eawc' 
teet of h«r tidolity. She nevor cuce thought of her own 
lotereaU, but with an unparalleled devotion to the papal 
throne tried every means within her power to preaerra it 

3l6 



» 



Matilda's Fidelity 



iDViolate. She vsnn ready to lose nW. Bven life its«1f, to 
aecure the s&faty of tbo Sovereign PontlflT, the Bend of tbe 
Church and the frienil aod couii3elJcr of her youth. " That 
lighth«u8e of CliriBtiaiiB/' says the poet, '* burned with 
celestial liro. Family, servants. rich4>&. she was prodigal with 
oU, sacridood all." 

It was, however^ a torrilalo trial for tho Cowntoss to hoar 
of tb« inLBfortunea whioh v«rfi befalUug b«r Bubjdcts, and ber 
heart ached ae sha thought of tlieir guScriugs and privatioiui- 
ReportM reached her from time to time of the horrible 
deviwUittoD which whk b«iiig caused by Hetiry'g followers. 
She beard of harvesta UEir«^apetl and trodden down, of 
▼iDoyardnnnteDded,(if buTniDghomonteridsand VACnnt chaim, 
ond of youijg bright lives Aaciificttd to tI<Miry'a iiifl«<uftate 
retcngc It was difficult to restrain ber impulee to By to 
their relief, but ehe dared not leave Gregory to the teud«r 
mcTcicd of the King, .-xud committing her cauao to God ehe 
awaited with calm aseiirauoo an opportunity of returmng to 
bor dietracted country. 

In the manjaisate of TuBcany ''all bent before the atorm. 
TowDB opened ih&ir gat^A at Henry's appro^icb and oiiAtl^a 
SOTtendered, in some cases without making any ebow cf 
rttftlctanca. What eonid the people do Gtherwwe f Then 
W no oDe to command or dirt^ct them, and so they made 
tiM beat terms they could with the coD(|uerorB.'' 

Newa of the anrrender of ber property to the Germans 
V« Gorriod by pale-faced, tcrritiod mceaougcrs to the 
Ooonteu, who shared tn their lamentatioue, though tbe tears 
wanoot shod for bcr«elf Her enrrow was for the people 
who had kDOWQ uo other masters thun her ancestors and 
vho bad DOW fallen into Henry 'a cruel hand^. She furveutly 
aohoed tbe pious ejaciilationa of ber grief- ft tr token subjects 
tlwt Boatrio* hud not lived to aee tbe evil djiyn that bnd 
oOEue npou ber aunny Italy. Portifii^ with that calmneHi 
with which religion ond'>WH ber MifT^nug cbildren, Matilda 
bure all without a inurmtir. Nut oven whua lidtugs read 

ti7 





Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 

her of th« oapituUtioc of her mfwt boaatifat city did A« 
uttor word of eompluQt or regret Uiotigh her beAtt vta tort 
^tbin her 

Tho citiuni of LucQft, trUo were fnoliDed to Htfujr^ 
Cftaee, opened tbeir gutes at hm iLpproni^ without t^rm 
tuftking n fciint uf defence or etrikitig a blow for thw 
libertiwL MntiMa'g pnWo waa I'lotcd of lU bn^osuree. a»J 
put of ber vnluablv libnr^, which Imd co»i her y«arv of 
labcmr, wm mnlidouily dcwtix^jod without ft protest from 
the terrified oituena 

AcicJm, tho fi^i:od Bishop, mAnoged to eecepc ftud oiAdo lui 
wftjr, aided by the darkneee aod the faithful peaeanie, te 
O^notftCL, vbioh, even in the itb^&nce of its lAdy, atTordAd 
aaylmn to tbe oppreaaed. Dinnizo the cbftplain, John the 
Hermit, and other holy men sUll remained within Ita w$ik 
and received in tbe name of tbe ConntefiB those who hal 
been rendered bomoleAEi by tho cruel noldiery. Fortnnatelj' 
for the refugeoH Matilda^e ptana for Ttotaalliufp bad beea 
fully ciirried out »nd tbe eupply of waUrr iipp«arej 
inexbauHtJble. 

Henry, vrho bad intended to keep Annclm aa a hcetage, 
waa very wrathful at hie e«(?apo, bub bo conHolcd himaelf bf 
placing m tho epiaoopal obair a prolate of hie own ohoto^ 
The nntl-pope, who entertained a great reipeet for t^H 
BUbop " who«o virtviea w^re known to all/' wrote from the 
camp udviaing him to he at peace %nth him and to lojive t^^ 
failing cauae of Matilda. ^| 

Anselm in reply sent a spirited letter, m wbioh he deoied 
Guiberl'a right to the pontifical throtie and lUitliority, aod 
concluded his epiailo as followe : — " As to thy entreaty that I 
would uo longer continue to circumvent and deceive a verj 
Doble lady, I take Qod to witneee tbat li keeptn|f near her, 
have no temporal or worldly riewa. I pray Ood to take mo 
^ID thin pcTverao generation among whom 1 drag on a life 
of oppreasion and sorvitudo, devoting myeolf day and nigbt 
to tbe oaro of presarving thot noble woman to Ood uid tbo 

3ll 




Tuscany Conquered 



Church, mj Mother, hj whrun she haa been confided to me, 
«ud 1 hope to gniu for myself ft great rew&rd from God 
for having thne kept her who w^ste(l not her riohee but htta 
kkld up for heraolf inexhauBtibl^ treasnree in Heti van, being 
alwftjB reftdy to give up not only her worldly gouds for tJi© 
ddfd[ic6 of juatice but to sheJ ber blooil for thy oon fusion and 
the glory of the Clrarch iictU such time n.B God fthall 
deliver Hia enemy into th^ hftude of a woman/' 

From Lucca, Henry, now ruore hopeful of 8iiccee8> agniu 
proceeJt^tl Bi^uthw&rd to Florence, which a tew months 
previtjusly had been forced to receive htm within its w&1]& 
But, warned by past event«, the citisene remained faithful to 
Matilda nud, closing their ourB to all thd muoarch'e promitiefl 
asd threats, kept tbcir gates securely oloaod and g:uardod. In 
a passion ab this rebiiffhemivrched upon the various cities and 
townd belonging to his cousin, and whicb^ during hie inTest- 
mont of Rcime, had somewhat recovered from the etlects of bis 
late occupation. 

It hns been remfirked that eoma people never know when 
iJiey are beaten. Certnin it is that the TiiBcans failed to 
realino that they h&d been vai)f]niehed, and Henry hnd h)s 
vork of couqueriug to do all over agoia But now the tide 
of WAt, which had wafted him to victory, seemed againat him 
and robbed bim somewhat of the conSdence with which he 
hod entered on his cnmpajgu. Matilda's enbjeote had had 
time to prepare ngainat a eeectnd iuvasien, and their loyidty 
and love for the Counteea ^vere too firmly roote<l to allow of 
lightly yielding her poasesstons to a foreign foa. 



ai9 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



CHAPTEB X 

^SluU allow lior cioUwd with ■tnxkg^ And ddU 
All nurtul dcifH ta fiiMI, 
Tina u ft rock In itlAiioitftr/ Aj;ht, 
III nvAivD n^dd u iha lij£biuiug'» K^**tu i 
Fivrw M ft AoodgkU boratlDg In Uio nl^bt 
T>> ruuHc llu wfdrtd from thoir iriJijr dr«sm — 
Ww, VIM to ftll that fu» Imt in th« (If^ld 
Appdl'd aIm nugr not b*^ nnd amoot ^•kL" 

WouMironra, 



Wbaaied of hifl iD«9ectuftl atte&apU to draw hta coooa 
within hid powor, Ucnrj dctcmiinod to conccntratD ftll hia 
ftttCDtiou upon tbc iuveelment of Route. To this end hft 
r^roraited fr««h troopa uid sopplic^ from Lombardy, andL' 
oafryiiig tli^ timid, entwining QaQeu lu biu tr^.he ouce ftgain 
turned his nrma npoa the Capital, reactlvt^d at all riska to fores 
ftu entxaDoe. 

Wibbiti tlie waIIf; ilHim prtivailed a uu-lniDeEe wlitoti altnott 
amODnted to indifference. Tlie citizeuB, truattog to tbd 
prveeuco of the Ho!/ Fntber and to the thorouglmeaa of their 
defeiicoa, had no fear as to the reaoltH of tb« eioge. They coa- 
duobed the bnsinees and plejiaiiToa of hfe in their usuat gaj 
Qi^Ddr^and ttvii epirite wera uot damped by on j^ Boric>ue 
pu^vioga Not ev€u the foreign powi^^re ooQBJdcred tho 
Pontiff to bo in any immediate daugor. and AX^tilda waa 
only ally upon whose support Gregory conld rely. * 

But matterawero fksauming a very serious aspect and a 
criBifl wae rapidly fipproaehiug, tUo roeult of which waa 
prove 80 disdfltroiis to Roman freedtim and the libifrty of th 
Chnrch. Gregory, with » preaetititnent which Ida Rituati 
I I'Sola ve^Btib ei MatLildiji mm PotriJ'^DoirUo. 



tho 



\ 



Gregory*s Last Council 

rendared prophetic, ftloae realieed thftt his reigii hod ended 
luid tliut un era of ijrMmy and impiety was abuut to coni- 

'* With the noiBe of battle around biiu. aad with the 
GBcmy thtiTtdenn^ at the gntea/' he h^d hb tenth and 1a£t 
Conncil ux tb& City of the Apoetb, and for the last time oo- 
Ciapicd the Chair of St Peler 

Tba Synod was not, sa tc{l8 GBaally the case, numer^ 
oiuly Attended, for only thoee QccleemBticES who had remajnod 
in the Capitol during the siege were uhle *o he present 
Anwslm of LufTf^ and other Bi^hopt^ who were not in Kome 
fit tii« time, were unable to fcirm p«rt of tbc Council, sinoe 
between Lhein and the City lay Uie Qormiui encampmr^nt. 

Afl tiie Houtifi^ paaeed through the Jane of ansiooa aud 
limid prelatee who lined tbe audieuoe hall, h'lb sptav and 
Attennatcd form waa drawn cp to its Eull height as with * 
diguitied gontnro he returned tbcir reapeotful ffrettings. 

Tbe air wa^ laden with a mippreeeod mnrmTir of ioteiise 
and universal exoittmunt aa the Holy Father took bis seat on 
the throne and allowed hie eyes, which etill retained their 
penetrating power, to wander, aa if in mnte farewell, over tbe 
familiar, iiptiimi^d fnoeu of the Italian nohlea and prelates 

He who hhd. HH ViQar of Christ on earth, the nu^nl to fear 
&pp<inred to be nnmoved and unonnAcioas ijf the black and 
ointno).kA clonda wbich wore darkening the horizon and fillini^ 
mil hearts with drtio<L Uie waa not, ae tho Jiu^icDce waa 
aware, the inditloronce of a^ nor that natninl tranquil and 
collected tt'njpurainenl which, Uke a placid lake. roHccte 
nothing but poace apon ite even surface, Ria mentaJ 
anxiety was bidden by a vdU of ailenoe throng^ whieh the 
moat curicuH nf ohaervertt found it imposeihie to penetrate* 
and which inspired a greiater confidenoe than any worda 
C^ald have conveyed. " He rested upon the anchnr which 
G<"1 had pfaced in hia birart at the moment when all the 
tuiivcrae wan riaeu agaiuxt liiin. Such a man wae tho 
niarTel of hia ago," 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

There woa odo amocgst th:it n^dmhlj wKo wau 
dMwmd by tbo ['oatitTs imruffltHl dbcueauutin Tbat wu 
"tho daughter of tbe ChtiTcJi," wlio bad boon permiii^ 
glimpses of tbe Ckgottv of approheQaioD under which In 
Ubourdd ftt haiug oompelled to rosigD tho hclo) of Steal 
Fetor's bark to impif^ud nnd nnh&llowe<i bn^Qda BliitiUft 
oooQpioH a fi3At among thd noble laity, ^ad the attoation of 
tho whole Synod waa atlractod hy her tall, atJitGly form ud 
Iter be&ittifiil TACe, wbit^h emotion b&d flii^lied with ft wtnvtf 
titit tlmti uMUiilly rubtml tliora No cur wuitti) hitve ^«9Md 
from tbe ser&Dity of ber dcaneonour &ii<l the fttitl ropn«e of 
her oUaaical foaturea, tb&l all her earthly intcreata wetvftt 
Btftke, nor thnt nt thnt rory mom^&t hor hoftii was tnnt with 
a&guiah for tho sorrowet of her poor atriokoii p<K>ple. Mauj 
Md rocolledJODfB of tha Itutt Couocil which oho bkd attended 
crowded into her momory. Tbeit h^r mother had beeo At htr 
aide, and the Countoda recalldd to mind that it wao llcnry^ 
aentonoe of exoo mm unload oil that had hafitenod the death of 
the foDdest df paretttfl. A ^aod of righteoua atigor eurg^d 
through her hraln bgaiuat the origuialor of all her 
fortmieii &nd the oiLuse of ao much eoaodal to 
Christiuti wnrld- \ever while life and Btreiigth remain 
would she yidd her Church and b«r country to bi& arroganot^ 
and thts look of etern resolve wbii;h settled npua ber 
ooontr^naucd wes a dtting index of tho bitttr thoui^htn within. 

Ac tbe eyeft cif tho PoutitT «wcpt the aBftcrably tbey fell 
with softened gaso upon tbo form '' eo UDConaxouely moani- 
ful m its beauty." He eecmwi to diriuo her tbougbte, and 
a glatiice convoyed comfort to bor aching heart- 

Tho deliberation of the Council was long and stormy, 
attention of the aaflemhly being as vacillating jia the w&ve6 
the sea uiid^r tbe indu^^ncs ofcoutrary wiodi;. Clergy and laiir 
ragardcd eauh i>ther with lookfi from which tbey eiifleaTourvd 
iti vain to conceal tb^Tr anxiety. Hiid, but for Uie nvtrnimog 
pren>WDo it{ Uio P<jpe, thc:t debatva weuld have had 
tucaultaoua ending. 



Ina^ 



Ltn- 

I 

ft of 



Address to the Assembly 

Qrogoty, ^hoee iavittoible mind swayed the uaetnble 
■wUle of those present, alone mamtaiued throughout hie 
unbroken composare. He kept before them the mattere 
for diaaueaiotiarii arranged the bnsiQeea oonneoted vith the 
OoverDment with aa much deliberation aa if there were no 
CfiuflictiDg intereata to interfere with ita developmeut. 
KegArdleaa of the dangers which threatened him, " from his 
throne he itauec! tlBcreea which were to bind Chriatendom 
inth ns mueh finnneits a« whoti in the z.enith o{ his 
power" * 

"I hare/' said he to the Romana who desired p^ace 4ind 
reconciliaticu, ^* often hod experienoe of the faEaenesa and 
the unhappy perfidy of the King, but eTen now, if ho wishea 
to ropnir nU the e\'i1 wbicb be has done te God and to the 
Cburoh, I will willingly abaoJve him and give to him the 
imperial orown with my beDediotion, otherwise I cannot and 
I ought not to hear yon." 

Occupied OS moat of the Council were with their own dia- 
quletiug thoughts, tbtiy could tiot i^W to he touched hy the 
eelf-p088e>wion and r^ourageof the fmW, gentle old lUHn before 
ihein. Ashamed of the personal fenre wliioh ha^l toheri hold 
of themt they conquered their feelinga of self-iij teres t aud 
Hatoncd with Lr«aUi]<^aH atLeutiou i^r every e^llnhlc which fell 
&om the hpa of the vonerablc Pontiff as ho delivered hia 
last ohart^^ *' Riamg in the midat oF the aeaemhly. aa if 
animated with fliiperhuroan ntrungth, he npokc o( f<*ith. of 
Chriatian morality, e£ courage, and of conataucy aeoeaa&ry in 
the pri-aent persecution, with an eloquence ao lively and so 
touching that teara fell Irona all present/'* " Hk poweriiil 
mud pathetic words hald the aasembly captive. Hia dia- 
OOiimtiK w«jre rather those of nn nngt-t thun Ihost) of a niAn/' * 
•■ He Bpokt," aays yet another hiognipher, " of ihe light 
aHliotion, and of the eternal reward of miirtyre for the faith. 



* Sir JauiM dt«p]itLi> EccUtwtiMl ffmMy, 

' '* Oic nan hLioiAnv acd ia^'du». " 
333 



Matilda, Countc&s of Tuscany 

He spoke ju dying fntherH tipmk to their ohiJdfac of paus^ 
uiil hope, and c^nfiuUUoD." 

At tlie end of tiin mldreaA th<^ rofittfTwtk^mnly blcModasd 
iJiHtnittBi^ the aaariiiblj^,, iuhI Uien prt?p&r«l wilii caiotlj 
fortitude to boar with rc«igxiftt£oa nhatovor extremil; iif 
doAgtr or distraM awiitdd him. Hia ooura^ wab «retot^ 
put to A cnici&l t«et, ftnd the Church bn« eigiulittod hi 
glorioua Yictofy bj inclttding hia name id the erer-lcDgthcfl- 
ing list of the maTt3T« who hftvi> oho«rfullj died ta ha 
defcQCO. 

Soorc^lj hod tbc Holj: FatJver reuhvd hi* private ohftpiJ 
ftnd tbrowD huneelf od htg ki]Q«« beforo the aJUir, warodj 
had liie liittt T«treuting footvlepfl of the aftMrn^bl^ died am; 
in the distniice, thiLn the ttireiitoikiDg Btpmi bunt ia aII fv 
fnry ujh^u the? Vkar nf CliriMt atid upoti t}^^ f1i>r_k iximniittcd 
to Urn fiuthrul charge. Even while Gregory wom prepaxt^ 
hiuiaeir to rccoivo tho mnrtj-r'n crovrn, the city gates woe 
opcaed by traitorous baodB to admit the 0«rmau troopii 

A itroug contrfiAt t<i thd peace which rci^ued witbiD tfat 
breast of the Pontiff waa ntfordod hj tho tnmiiltQoua feolingi 
vhicb ugitatod tho Klug. St^inj* to fury by tho repeated 
failure of hia att^mptA to 9at«r Homo, " he reaotved to obtaa 
by 1>rtbery what foroe was unable to effect." By Ae 
sacrifioe of large qnaiititiort of gnld his emksaries sooottodid 
at Intit in oorrupliug tlie tldeUty of the fnhabibants, and 
traitors were ready for rowArd to open tho galea at a gfiTSn 
signal 

Whilu Henry silvnlly and iitealthilj passed within the 
city, a few c-f Lih ft^Uo we r» Bought a more bonoiiTaUe method 
of gaiiiiug admittance. Making a detcrmiuud oMAult npou 
on onprottfCted point of the wall, thoy forcod their way 
tbien^ the bicach, and by the Buddennets of thoir eiitiy 
and their nudaunted bravery they poralyaed the efforts of 
the oiti2(ine to take them pmoo^rs or to repel tb^ir odvatkea 
TUo leader of thesd gallant nons of Mara was Godfrey de 
BouilloD, stand ard-b&ar or of the Kin^, and the victor of the 

ai4 




Traitors Wirhin the Walls 

fl»l<l upon wliiob Bcidol|>li bttd fkllon. Ho was the Brst to 
ent^r the "City of the ApcwiW hot ho far fr«m being proud 
of hift exploit we I^ani that be bitterly repented tbe iinplone 
Action, which in after yeara he expi&ted in JeruHa1«ra. 

QoDry woH In Kome at lu^t 1 For two long yaam lie had 
waited for thift moment of triompb, and he wan almost as 
iDAone with joy ftt the rcalitutiou of hi« iobemee as he had 
formerly been with do«pftir at their doii- fulfil moot, Hii 
reflentment ai^ainet Oregoiy had Loog a|^ dettlroyod any 
vaatigtf of religion or ^cneroaity of houI, Be wu ADimated 
only with aD ea^r vifi<lictiven«'E(g to behold the dowrtfull of 
the feeble Poitttff who had placedarwttraiciDghand upon his 
folly anil IiIa pride. 

In i^pite of ibtt fact thnt tho Gcirmiin army waA decimated 
by disvMHc aud privation no oppofllUuii waa ofTifTcd by tho 
Ilc.itiiaiiB to the bold eteadmsM of their marcb luUt (he i^lly. 
On Holy Thursday, 2Ut March 108i, Godfrey do Bouillon 
planted the imperial standard upon the walla end the dtiseoi 
flilorttlj nnbmitted to the ocoupation of foreign and hostile 
tTOope. 

In the inaanttme not a movement of Henry had Mcoped 
the notice of the watohfiil Matilda, who had foreaeeti the end 
of the sioge. The Qreat Coaateefi bad not been idle daring 
her lengthened atayin Boma With her splendid power* of 
organiautioD i»he had, in tlie event of the Klug'j^ entry, with- 
drawn her men to the Oaatle of Saint Angelo. This stroFig- 
hold, wfaiuh for a iwoond time w>ia to witness Gritgnry'a 
hnmiliutiiin, would hf. Matilda conceived, a «iafe relr^at for 
the Pontiff until further aid could bo pruciired. With the 
forethought which providoe for all emergenciea, ebe bad eo 
arranged the stores of provi^ooe and arma that io the pro- 
bablo event of an laveatment by the Cerman troops the 
Corlrces would hold out for some montha Gregory's faithful 
blends, on being informed of the misfortune which bad over* 
tukeu the eityi beggod hbn, with f>tayers and tears, to avail 
himeetf of the shelter thua provided for him. At length, hot 

P MS 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

only ftftor g:r«at rtluotuiiso, hft^Dflcotod to tboir Bolicit4tioot 
ADd qaittod the tbrooe for 6vor. 

Honry'a trinmph rccoivi^d a chook wIi6d» on atTiroii^ At 
tho VaticaD, h« found tbe Pontiff had retre^tet) to St AngdOi 
but he comforted himself with tba ANvnrmnco that hu prtf 
WftM within vawy reatrh of hU power Od the following dif 
h« Ivtft iljt5 Ctftpittil t^ he pluniU'Twl by hiw iialdJtirg, who glftd^ 
em}>riiocd thrt o|iporbnntty of ravengiug thflmselvas apon tin 
tAQDliug Itjtlijipti. Pru(!ocilJng to tho catnip tho King cm- 
ducted Guibort to tho city, &nd placing bim upoti tho Oiov 
of the ApoBtIc^:fi CAuned him to be ncknowlod^cd oo Popoandir 
thft titlo of UlomoDt 111. 

Ueory, we are tcild," had watered Rome without fightuif 
OQ SUt March 10tt4» being the Thursday io Pawioii woek. 
Next dciy he aaHomblud the people, and prcnontcd to then ti 
SoTerei^D Pontiif the Arehhiehop of Eaveniui, Guibcrt. Tfao 
folloviDg Sunday he had him eolemiily consecrated in th* 
Bafiliea of the Lateran tiy the Biabopa of Modenst Arren* 
and Bologna, who took the place of those of Oiitia And Atbaoo. 
to whom bvloDgcd the privUvge of giviug couaccratLcn to th* 
Popes-eleet," 

Matilda'^ work hi Rome was Cor tlie present flnc!«ct. Sba 
had, alas I nn ^xiwer to prevent the acts of SHcrtl^^e whioh 
were beio^ Gomiaitted dunng the lioly seoJKin which oom- 
memoratofl tbo rejectiiitQ of the DiTine Foiiuder of the Church 
wh[<:h Gregory ropreeented. Nor could ehc, ait ahe deatred. 
drive from Rome the fatso ehophord to vhom Heory. witii 
iicpiou^ bands, oouinxitted tlie nboep of Cbmt'fl fold^ Ai 
soou> thorofore, aa aho bjvd aesurod boraolf of the Pontic 
safety she begged hU hlesHlug aud made rapid proparatiens 
for her return to Tuacauy. It wae not a difficult m^ittor for 
her to puM uuuotieed through the atreeta, crowded a« thty 
were with the creaifntlen Romans, who, in sullen sileDost 
witnesaeJ tbe (rtumph of their foea. There waa no fur 
need to guard the gaten. DlHcipline wea for tho timn «ve 
where r«livxad,aud Matilda with ease eludeJ the 

m6 



i 



For the Holy See 



L 



e^ntiniyle and set oat with All speed to tho relief of 
Florence. 

^entj bftd no krtowledga of ber eecftpen While he wns 
vainly storming at the gatD§ of St Angelo the strategic 
Cntintc^ss had croiateA the Tjher and wns rn her way to pre- 
parB CiinoBBB for n like fale, 

Sod indeed wau the homeward journey through what had 
oncdbffiru thriving and proflperoitsTiltagee, Plundered homea 
and devaetuted iivlda evurj'where met her gaae end horo 
aalfint witoQBs to the ditsreas and poverty whioh had alnok^n 
her pei^ple to the earth. It was evident, hova Uio niinona 
state of atfaira, that no rc-venuuit for the support of a now 
army coufd bo gathered from her impoveriabed subjeota. 
With n gencrneity whtoh tcJttohod nil henrtfl she not only 
refined From aekiug for their oontributiona but from her 
own purse reHered their most proegtng n«oda. 

Thert^ waa no lime for delay, and ahe rntLleesty stripped 
ht^moTf of the trenstireH her palaces contained and whirh Knd 
a«a&pe(l the rfipacions Qermaiia. 8he aaori^ced her jewels 
and thn finily heirlonrag. which were almont. pricoknii in h<»r 
eyui. Eren the Kncred gold und eilver veatiels uaeil in Uii! 
obapeUand monaaterios were tntc«n to supply food and wagas 
for the auldiera ahe wa« reomitiu^ for the acrvice of the Pope. 
With trembling fin^rs DoniAO and the monks regietfnlly 
and with many eigha returned to the Conntcaa Iho troasarcis 
with which ehe bad endowed thotn and which she promia^ 
to retnrn when the Sovereign PontiB' had no further nood of 
tham. 

"AlUiotigh/' we are reminded, " the Pope was not willing 
that the richca uf the Churuh shoold be sacril3ced for bia 
perecnal safety, Matilda did not Brmple to disobey him in 
this rei^ect-*' T^«hnp Auselm gave hia ble^shig to her 
gieneroaa and piriua ofTeriug of her richea, and placed tn her 
hauda for tlie service of the Vtoar of Chriat tbo gold dialioe 
wliioh he had uned for ao many years, aud which luul hvon 
the gift of the Cotuibeaa in happier times. 

W7 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



Ml^_ 



Hatild^'a l>na€ipid luaxiotj w&a ]«t St Angrlo 
Biiceiimb k* briberjr or eomo othtir form of treachery in 
Heorj vr*a «d adept 

Tbo King himeeir wii« ean^ino now of securing 
priaonijn Slrit^t wMch w&dkopt tipon thec&fltlc^roiuKl 
ho fon^e'l tho RoiQ&Da to eroot a'cootinQonB wa|]. There wu, 
JL« Henry O'^ngrfttuliLted himndf, no loopbcle of eaenptt forth* 
PoQtifT, And di?prived of M&tiMa's assistAnro it was but ft qii«- 
tiQD of tim« oTd he fd 1 into the b ftncb of his rdl^ntf dw ^itmy^ 

Bttt Hr'nvnn hnd d«(^r«ed olherwine, And At this rrini 
of hiA fatu li«}[] ATTivtid r»r Grvgciry ffDm an uuex{iai:t«<l 
ptjworful i^iiArter. 

At Iho time of Ilcnry'n iTivcntmeot of Kom«, Rob«rt 
Gni«ard was engaged in the E&et in driving the Satacoo* 
from ib« 6trDngh<jl<l?i tlioy had occupied for notul^ two 
centuriofl. After ft brilliant victory over the Bya;aDti»» 
forccfl, and whito preparing to enter ConBtivntinopIe, a courier 
c&me to bie camp from Rome, conveying a totter Eroop 
Gregoty htmeelf. The Pontift', after referring^ to Robert*! 
recent Buccefis in arma, ooncluded as follows: — "Bo carffi^ 
erer to keep before thine eyey St Peter, whose protoctioa of 
thee ifl prove<^ by theee great events Think, too, of Ay 
Mother, the Holy Roman Church, who trnaU to thvo mof^H 
than to any other prince, and aboTo nil think of Chnd^l 
Remumlier what tbmi hnal prntniimd Him, a prumbin whin}], 
even if ttiuu hAJnt mit made it, woald be inipreMed on lhe« 
by the rights of Chrialienily, But since thou havtrnftdeil 
be not fllow to fulfil it, Tlion art not in ignorance of 
tarnult that IB jttirrcd np ngAtnBt Ulo Church by Henr^r 
ffblauly callod King, nor how greatly she noodfl tho help of 
thee who art }ier son. Stir thon so that the more the Aon of 
iniquity fighteth ivgnin^t aB^ the more the Church msy rejoie* 
ID tiie ftuccour all'urdud to her by thy piety." " We fear," con- 
titnteBthePope," toattAob to tbi«oiirown l^sdeoewil for fear 
tlieen(<my maygetpoaseeeionrf it and pntit toaoro^batluse.' 

i2Z 



% 




Robert Guiscard 

With hid n&ttir£il impotuoititj, nad foorooly allowing the 
catsaaetig^r tuD€ for rest, Rubert difituiaaed liiiu^oLi his reiurEi 
jonm^jr, bearing a reply to Grogory which was worded aa 
follows^* 

" To the Snverelgti Pontiff. 

'' The Lord Robert, Duk« by God's Oraoa 

" WhaD I he&rd of the ft^greHaioitM of t1it« enomy I long 
refnaud Ut bulieve in tho couvictiou th&l there waa oue who 
vonid d&re raine hie arm against thi;c. Who wonld attack 
anch e father uul^aa he were mad ? , . . Aa to thee> I owe tli«e 
all tidelity, aod will aci^uit tnynotf of it when opportuaity 

Nor W6ro theae m^e proteatfttioos on Robert'd f>art< Uo 
held a conaultatiou in his tent with his son Boemond and thu 
ehii»f of&o^ra of lua army, announcing hiti intention of g^iiog 
to tb«i relief of thd Pontilt "We must;' said the ecalwart 
knight, with the chivalry for which ho wan renowned, 
"always obey ihe voice of God. I will obey the Pope*i 
urder and will ratiini tu yun an attmi as I i-nn. Meontima, 
do not otfor battle ; do uuthtug to exaaperate the |)eo[ile. I 
go to ful£l the duty to whit^h the Eiord oallK me, and if I do 
not toa« my hfe I elmll be hack before long/' 

The Cijuncil unanimoualy agreed thai honour called their 
ohiof to proceed without delay to the relief of ihe Pontiff, 
«nd taking louve of his son be <{uittod the eceae of bU 
exploit« and s«t out OQ his voyage. 

At the app4MiTauoe of Robert Guiscanl in Italy all the 
country was moved ; Normaus, Apulians and Tuacani, 
•agvrly flocked to enrol theuielvei under the tftuidard of 
the soldier of the Chitrch. Ttie equipment and trauaport of 
bin new alllctf wore Huon efToutfrd, and in a f<TW dayii no less 
tliau thirty thousand foot and sixty IhouBand horse were at 
hat diH|K>Aai| en^r to procend to thi« di^fonoo of thfr Pope. 

With his Giuuraot«riatic rapidity of muveincui he hurried 

"9 



Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 

to Romfi, bud by & leri^ of forced mux7he« arrived JivC 'In 
time to save Qr^gory from filling ioto the bands of hu 
eneinleB. 

The iui«x[)^t^ advent of QuiscArd placed Henrj in * 
daDgemnH pgnitioiL Hih troopi^ wm^vricfd by Ihi* long idi^ 
and diAorjfatiJDed 1>^ tbt;ir exuMaee Bicce tlie entry luto Rccie 
wero ttufjt to do bottle with the rcdoubtftblu warnon 
rumours of wUode approacb bttd reached biis. U« ^aw himAelf 
in imminent danger of being placed between two oppoaiDS 
forces. The Koiniuifi, daily ^ro-tvinjc bolder as tkie Nonoani 
advADcod, and encoui-ngcd by tbeu preaenoc, mi^t fall npoo 
biA men in tbd city aod annibilato ihem ere tbey could reaefa 
tbe slii^ter of tho co^mp. For onco he littotied to the 
dictat«flof prudence, and before the arrival of Robert ho bad 
withdruwn with hU Qnt^en and tliv anti*pope until he oocU 
recniit forcea for an attaok. 

Scarcely had UcDry retired whp^n th^ Norman knlj^t 
"appeared like a lion in the Cbriatiau [Capital of tlw world" 
aud made a triumphal entry into the city. " He unfurlad the 
abtridard uf Satut PtitcT and marahod forward wiUi mXl lui 
foroas. followed by a pious aud uuanued crowd, to Saut 
Angelo," 

Althoagh Qeary'a eo1dier« pillaged the city of theOaaaarf, 
' the BomaDB," romarkt tb<; hiatorian, " found it oo leM 
aeriotie to have to do with auoh unceremciLic<a6 Cbrietiaiu as 
Kobert Ouiscard and hia companione. The entb-u town vaa 
Backed, the ancient monuments und the palavee were fired. 
Gregory, from thf> break of duy» from tho height of tho tow«T 
of St Angolu, eaw how liia llbi^ratorB fuliilled their eu^^a^ 
tneiits with the Church. His 8onl, already nad, be<^Ame aorely 
cppreeaed, and it was with dlffictUty be Bucoe«ded in earing 
Nftme sucred templGs/' ^ 

It waa not long vio ihe wullii with whieh Henry had 
invaated the cattle wero demoliahed, the gat»i were thrown 
open, aud tlie noble chief Ijowed bin head and bent his km 

«30 





Caution of Guiscard 

in horaa^ to tho ' riaibl© Head of tho ChnrcH." ■ With all 
due Inspect "cx^ntioiii^ the narrator, " Robert QuiacdLJd con- 
dnctud the Pope to the Laterau, aud kneeliog before him, iii 
tbo laidst of tlie mingled crovrd of knigliU and prieats. ho 
pree&iit«d pioiiB oflvringe," 

Daring huf sliort etny in tho Gapitol Robort uppoaTB to 
have acted M^ith great fiovcrtty towards tbo oitizon*. whom 
h© wigpected of having adniittod Uonry, and "reduced to 
ejavt»ry bl number of BomaDe who had betrayed tbe P(>pu-" ' 

Henry, wl^D in the meautiiD^ had dmwu fri^b votuDteers 
&um Liimbnrdy, And received fVeah sappHee of fnud &ud 
moDey from G^rmatiy, wne nnw ready to return to Rome and 
risk nn encounter with tha NorrriAHH. 

This time it wilb Giiiscaril wlkiv acting with il disoretion 
Yory unuaual in the hardy chief, refuxed to tlu battle or to 
fttanrl tbecbanoes of & aiegi*. Acmintiruied to coDtcnd with 
eupcnur forces to hia own, the Diiko war not withheld from 
the eonfljct from any fear as to the uUimale isaiia iic had 
^Ifilled hb promise of reecuing Gregory, nod whoa onoo be 
w&aaeenred of the FuutttTaaofcty he would be free to rotitni 
to his encampment in the East. 

It ^va8 evident, however, that Rome would no longer be a 
fl&fe abode for the Bolj Fatber. Aa bood aa Uuiecord with- 
drew his protecting arm th^rif would bo aavage reprteala on 
the part of Henry tlukt tiot all Matilda'e devotion or horoiim 
oonid keep in check. To r^iooive him in her stronghold of 
CanoHKa would m^un 1hfifnjitleiiBdpAtn](;t.ion i>f Tiifk^'Uiiy and 
the luHA of her inar<|uiAate, for not (sv«n tho atout hoarta of 
her people conh) dukivar them from ihu dinciphued troops 
with which Henry outild ravage her unhapjiy land. 

Gregory himself realised that Lie presence in Home would 
i&ToIvo all Italy in atrifc with Qcrmauy, and mnoh blood 
would be ahed on either «de. Even hie own martyrdonit 
although he did not shrink from the aacritioD, would but add 
to thu diffieulttoa with which the Holy 5e>e, at that period of 

' Jwauun* Vuijju 
>3" 



L 






Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

SU hiatjjry^ Mraa called upon to conbnnd, Art«r a conMilWiei 
with Duke Holi^Tt, ihurdfore^ ho decided to aocepL lib offir cf 
mn &xyliim lji Korniau lerritory untQ n fiitiug opportoiul^ 
OouuiTed ytT rrtnrniitg t» UiQ ApOtttoltC M»l uf ftuUioriiy. 

To tlmfattbfuli^ldren of the Churdi ii owtt«rad iJtth 
From vrhoi portion of the? ^lobo Qr&^cwf Uffia^l hi« dooic« 
" lu the eyed of all Ohristcfidom he itiU romaiued Fcatift* 
From the ihclter whiob Kubcirt ffenorooely exidod^ to him he 
cciUJ. without receding a at^ bom his Attitude with rcgaAi 
to the KiDg, eotitiDuo to koop in tOQch with bU wbo lo 
retainiMl their &Uef;iance to Seiot P«iter« 

On thu purl ot Oref^iy there was an utter «l»eDoe ol 
apparent coasciDtieueea of defpttt, Uia nobititjr of ohanwM^ 
pnnliiA] from all paraou&I iut«reat«, allowed in bim no ro^^n 
for feelings of chagriu ^ir humiliation. 

Aa he weut through the gatca witli biH friendn utd rtiied 
hit* handn in n Harewell bleaaiug over thi; cit> b» nuuI vnM 
troubled at i\io th^mght »f iho perila t/i whiclj hia flock 
wtiuld Ijc cxpOMd without tt shepherd to guide theoi. ■ 

Mcro than aixtjr ycara hul powcd ainoc tho Pontiff, tli«a q 
cEuM of eight jdara, went into tiio Capitol with bis pareoti, 
thcro to bo dedicatcnl to tbc Cburoh ho ba<l oinoo eorred ao 
faithfully. More than sizt; 3'caraBinoe his ejes tint giuvl 
with awo at tlio jialuoe of th« Popea, in which he waa one dij 
to reign aud from which he waa now exiled for the oaUM e( 
freedom and jtuticu. 

Guarded by Norcnan lanoe^ and aocompaniod "by fail 
oardiitAla nud clergy," Gregory weut on fiia way. edoorted by 
MatJh^a'M kiiighta n.i far ah the Duke*i4 feudal Ltfrnli^ry of 
Apulia. At every towD and viDage on tho route crowds of 
peoplfi came forth to heg IIih bleaiing of the waary PunfifT 
Ha hdd tiavelled in and out umoogel tbem for eo many yi^in 
that hie revered forui watt familiar cvou to the bunablcet of the 
iubabitnnta, wbo came out to greet thr.ir paetor witb t^eurv 
and broken aobe of farewell. Guiacurd rode by hitf aJdo aud 
wo are told " paid to him, both ae a friend and tho Head of the 

333 



L 




Journey to Salerno 



Obarcb, the dfiffirend;U reepeot of a aon to a beloTod 

Gregory hod, bowevor> ouofiolaoe to hui^oup of ftffliotion, 
ftud (bitt WM a Vint to Monte CftMino. What priT&te 
roiLHon the L>uke had for obaDgiug his pluun ttt uot at^hted, 
but the party had not long rested at Apulia when, bj his 
ordvrj^. it again set out towards Naplee on ths way to Snlumo. 
This divergeueo from the direct lonte bronght them withiD 
efl»y diatuDce of Mvnte Cuwuio, &tid Goiscard witlingly 
AMKiritod to the PoQtitTa prupoHitiuti to pay ft vinii to thtf 
hoHpiLaUf) B9Dedictme& Tbe> remamed foritaveml day^ Ht 
tho iijit^ruit^iry, where the PoDtif}'^fi^>eut thu time lu prayer 
ftud relloctif^u and toft liie burdeo of euxiety at the foot vf 
the orosen'' What a flood o£ recollection moat have patted 
over the mind of the bolj i>]d man when he knelt, aa be had 
fiO often longed to do, within the narrow limits of hla cell 
and, forgetting atl eW, held sweet commuuiou with hie U<<d. 

The journey to Salerno was Qregory'a laflt on earth. 
Bin fr&me. naturally delicate, was much tried by tiie fatigue 
oausod by the oontiuuouH jolting over uoeven roads and the 
many diucomforts which in those daya iDevttabty attended 
travellbrn. The Norman*, in Uicir jovinl but unrefined 
mautier, did their l>eirt to relieve the tedium of the way, but 
Gregofy'd Hensiiive nature, though appruciativo of their 
kinJucH^ wari iiot in L&rmoay witfi th^ir well'mt^aDt ep- 
d»avuur« to pleaue hint. It waa a beautiful nountry thruugh 
which they were rtding, " riob in oranges, palmn ikud vines," 
but it was a relief to thorn all when the T)uko*A Ootiiio caatle 
loomed in eight aud their eyes were gladdeued by the water* 
of the lovely bay which it overlooked. 

The foTtrtw*. which woe strongly defended, waa built by 
Gttisoard hiutself upon a bill abovo the tovrn, and the HocitiH' 
•greed with him that no better asylum ooutd be foend than 
that which he generously tjfforcd. Guarded by hia faitbfij] 
though unceremonious children, Gregory waa protect^ from 
any attaok from Heiuj, nor onnld tltv machtnationa of that 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

wily mooariDh withdraw him from their «afo ke«piQg- Tbi 
Dukd, who had won * world-ind« r^atation for boicg 
" farioTU in hi« wrath and pitiioM id hi§ rereng^," had m»4i 
his orracigeiiieDifl with u wiao pit^atitioo. lie ri^hti^ 
doomed that tho King wm not tikolj to riak coUinon wilfa 
tho Nt^rmunti by aD attciupt to laj banda on tho Pootiff 
whilo ho romainod under tho protoctton of their ohi«f- 

Giiidoard oonduct^d Gregory to the bftttlomoute of hii 
fature home, aad, with pardonnble pnde, poiDted ont to hin 
tho towu whioh [ay at its feet a&d which, utsdor th« NormaM 
wa8 rapidly becoming iinportimt Among tt>e bnUdinp 
viHiblu fn>m iho crurUo Wfu tho Oothit; i^aUieidrn! dedJoat#il to 
St Matthew which Kahert had erected and whioh he bagged 
the Popo to coQbecrate. Thie Gregory readily agrood to ^ 
and it wai^ bortcoth it^ lofty dome that tho Holy Patlncf 
found hie last reeting-plaoe. 

The Uuko i^mainod for «omo time witli the cxik 
who wna miich gratified at the priKticil pidty evixtoed hf bit 
host in the crectiotk of churobofl aud mouaetene« io htf 
domaina Uuder the foBtering eara of tHo monks wbo 
oBtahliBhed themfioltes in the«e buildings the atudy of tha 
healiag arts made ooneider&ble progr^M, and ovoo id Ihoft 
days their aohnol of medioine became lanowned. It fornMd 
the Ducleus, w« learn, "of a medical onJTenrity, one of tbo 
finest to ha eHtahlifihbd m Euro[ie, which waa fou'idod m 
SnlerxKi just balf a eeiittiry ^tter Gregory and Robert had 
passed nway,'* ^H 

It is a remarkable ooincidenGo that at tho momeot Ih^^ 
old kiiight IhuB displayed hLs Gdoltty tti tho Churah, 
Boemond, whom ho had loft in diarge of biB arFoy, ro|jul8od 
a determined attack of the Greeks ^vith brilliant mt-oma 
Kew« of his son's duuger and gallant achtewmeiit roachod 
Qniecard, and aware of the value of titue he boooiDo auxio^H 
to return to the eei>ne of motion aud follow tip the vidoiy 
gaiuod by hb mc»n, Ritt duty dono he bocoiao oonsuBiad t^ 
a fevensb impatience to be with his army, wbicb, xn nigfat^ 



Robert's Farrwcll 



L 



anticipation of being ag&in waailed, ttwvit^d bia «idrio€ and 
command. 

ErcrjuittinglUl/. Gtiiscard pWed tbe Pontiff tmder the 
oir*^ nf bin NorniaTi guardsy wbo, with tmswerviug loyalty, 
would, he WAS «aBurmI. fulfil ttie bebeHts nf tbeir chief and 
defend their Bacred charge with their Iivuh, 

Both Gregory nod Robert scerut'd to divine that the 
pftrtiDg; waa fiual and that the vrarmag word« of Gonnmjl 
which fell from tho l'i>Dtitf0 lips wore to be the l^t which 
the Duke would he&r The fArewcll eccnc waa a moHt 
affecting one and mov«d the hearta of a\\ present* for 
Quiao&rd watf not ashamed of hta emotion nor that hia 
oorapanionB ahould witneaa hie grief. He who bunt Ibc koce 
to on one elao on earth now kaoJt humbly at the foot of the 
Holy Father to r^ejve the Laat bleuHing with ^hioh he 
rewarded the faitbhil child of the Churoh in the njune of 
her Divine Founder The head of the haught}- warrior, 
whit(>Ded by exposure to the eastern snn, was lowered to the 
earth aa Gregory pronoun<!ed the soteum wordu of bene' 
diotiou. Rough tioldier though he was, iindainited lu butUe 
ami iierce in derneatiour, the toiich of t]m gentle!, treiDbltng 
bandfl conveyad a metiHage of peace and love which awoke au 
apawcring echo in the war-acared aunl of the Norman kniglil 
The incx;aaant caree aod aiudebiee of hia pontilicate, and 
the delin^ioeucy of the King of Germnny, bad iindDmiined 
Gregory's strength m a greater degree than be bud iuiugined. 
Scarcely bad he become familiar with the change from the 
stately caJm of the Vatican bo the bustle of a military 
fortrosa, learccdy bad the eculptnred monnmenU and boUd' 
rngsof the Capitol ^ven place to the beautiful bay which 
lay beneath him, than hia aoHoitons friends deteoted a failure 
of hia physical powers. After the Duke had taken hut fare- 
well, Grttgor>', to the dismay of the Normnntf, who felt 
responsible for hia well-being began gradnnlly to decline. 
It 8i»ti became evident, even to the Han^^uioe Matilda^ who 
came to visit him in bis reir&at, that hia sand* of life wisre 



Matilda, CouniccG of Tuscany 



Doarly raa In spiXm of hi< mer^BCiDg woaknosi of body bii 
iadomiuble will remained unbrokea From liia aick ctuobtf 
hd iuflnencod the Chmiiat) world vid iwat Utt«r« of oaoh 
DiMulatioD or r«pr€of to tlio Earopeao ooorta, And imad 
decr^s with as much derinion And authnrity hh when MX tba 
Xf'titth ofliiH pi>wcr lie rtiW fmrn the ahnir of 8b Potnr, 

Ttitf PorjiifT had, In epito ^if ilie prelate's actvftu(.<tH] a^ 
inUttidcd AnHcltQ of Luot^ mi hiA jrucocsttur. and tn him be 
bfrcgu^^thed his poutifical mitre. With the Churcb'a welfui 
uppcnnoat iti hia thoughle h^^ bftd, wheu fc«ling tho band of 
death upon him, recommeuded that, failitig AnMlm, th« 
Abbot of ]Slotit« Cunntiio or Oardinnl Otto of tUioinu uiglil 
bo nominated to anooec^ to the throno. 

Ho had Bctn lauoh of Abbot DenidfihTia, luid Crom hii 
learned coDvontatioD and hol^ life he believed hiui to beaf 
ail mcD the mout likely to carrj out the reforms bo b«l 
lahoiuod all hu bfo to effect. Ho warnod hia Cardtnali not 
to be vwnyed id thoir choice of a Toiitttf by onj tsotireflcl 
eubaorvience to [aotion, but that if poaeible they shotild 
from those whom he had r^oommeiided to their notioa. 
tbo Datne of Goi Almighty and iu virtuu of tl^« authonly 
the Holy Ap^Btles Peter and Paul/' connnued Grvgory,*! 
forbid yoti Ui reoognise nny p^ntou fur tegitircutta Pop« vtkO 
haa not been elected and ordamed according to the hc3f 
crtnonf* imd thrr authority of the ApoatleK** " The CiirdtDala,' 
rtiu^rkn au emintiut and fearued Cardinal of our tiwti daj, 
''are Qot augela but men subject to the osuk] in&mitiea of 
fl^h fttid blood. And hecfiutw they are a<ft exempt from the 
frailties iuoidoDt to mankind, and because of the peerltfB 
dignity of the Supreme Pi>utiticate,iw wellu^of th<^ tr<xn«tid- 
ooa reepouaifcjility it idtoIvcs, every prconution that htiDMU 
iugvumty oould eoggeat haa beem availed of \u thia (19Q3)ae 
in preceding oooolaTes «o that no etoud ahould rest over the 
eleetiou of the raooeaiful candidate. " ■ 

> iJtitwcL (Itflivtfivd by Hli EuttuvuccLlJkrdki^bl UkLlwaSt»t bal 
CathoJral, lUOS^ ■» the oicction of Piuj JL 

136 



00 01 



L 



An Unwilling Empress 

While Gregofy, in exile an<l " Bicfc onto d«»Lth." wn* thun 
Uphckling the exclneive righl of the Churrii to the eleofcioD 
of licF PontifTHy Giiiheri remftineil to undinpiited prwiit^nwon 
of th» lliTcina H». howevtrr^ f«It Lim |inMitiun tu htt a leM 
ODviable olq than ho bad miticipated- Ilia coDociencfl vrj\o 
troubled &n<] rcmindmj hun liiAt be was on intmder od boly 
groiiTid. EvcD M tbo very het|?ht '>r Lie pr«eumption h» 
h^itult'i) to AAHumc the piipnl right c>F prcMidin^ i^t oounciis 
and deciding doctriQee of faitb vith tho infallibility which iS 
alone claimed by th© Vicara of Chrint. Hia tcmpi'irul poweir 
Wftff mnintained eokly by tho imperial troops, and Hi* tillo 
remaint^d unrecognised by every court of Europe e&»0 
that nf Gflirmany. With the exoeption of the simonimTHt 
BiKbofm iittaohed to Henry'a caiiae. the nllegiauce and filiiil 
rvpTpfCt of the whole Catbolip world wex© r©tain*»H bj 
Ori'gc>ry nntil hiw death, when they were tmnHferred U> Iiim 

To Henry, whoMt^ impioiiM Imnds longi^d to grajip tho 
imperial eceptre. but who conld not "by the laws and 
cuitomn" do 30 until bo h»d bcca crowned by the Pope, tho 
iuducfcion of Quibert fiOemed au opportune moment fer the 
attainment of hifi wieh, <Jrc'gc>ry had ropoatedly roftined to 
perform tho oeremony, in conBequcace of Ueniy'e evident 
onworthineflB to hold ao rc«pon«ble and honotirablA* pocition. 
Bat now the voice of tho Church wea bashed, and the» waa 
none to aay " nay/' Worn out wich grieC fatigue and lo- 
finnit.iea, the Pontiff lay upon hia di.»ntb-bed. The body 
wbidi hd tud MO iparingly nourished hud beoonne too frail 
A liunemeDt to contHiii hix intn^pid apirit. The way was 
clear and tlie ranuftrch tfinbraocrl tbu o]>portuaity tliat 
might never nceur again of bohjg crowned in the Eternal 
City aa "the leader of arotiea/' which the imperial title 
wgriifies. 

For the timt time Honry publicly acknowlod^ud his wife 
worthy of aharing hiB hoooura, and although the pions Bertha 
•hrank with horror horn luaiating in the sacriUgious 

>J7 





Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

t^T^maay abe conM not mfoM to take ber |Jac« w 

A proc«8sion nan formn'l onsiBting of tb6 Ottmuci 
nnH QTii^nD, iKn itnU>|}0|M, th« obeeqnioiw Buhope who 
about U) [jeiXoriD the ctnemony^ ftn<l other p&rtixuk» c( 
lleurys C4L1UC. prindpftUy excommtmioatod ecfawnwlw 
together witb dergjr Kod kitj frotn Loaabard^j who wm 
ftUo nadcT the b&n of the ChttrGh. Tbo proeeooe of thi 
tmp^ri^ gitard ftlono nk«tT»iiiod a ri^ng of tho Bomaa 
popnlAoe, who witocflsod the Kiog'fl i^oroiukcion ui de^J 
ml6no«^tho flildDCO of dovpikir broken ooly by Ui^ boaiM 
oHofl <tf the eKultHiit Ocrmans. 

The Kitig<wbn eight ycunt (»uf ori^, nt CftTiOiiMr h&d r^fanl 
to take falMely th» »ncie»t teat of Ibo Hoty Guoli&riBt»U 
DOW become " so irte<:pnd in crimn" Uiiit hrt h>u) no h«isitstk« 
in perjuring hiinsi'lf hy &ej§eiiti»^ to tht? uatli prmcribeil U 
ali Emperttre winou the crowutug of Charldm&gru*. Tlii 
following ftcooniib of the crrona-tion of Carlo Hagnufl siMl 
a fltroug contrast U* tbut of Qeurj, with oo |M>p« to bloai il 
ibe D&nae of Bearen tbe weaier of the impc-rial croWD^aDd 
with no jo3-fu] noclnmattoiiB of the m^iltitudes to greot Lbi 
eara of tho Dew Emperor. ''On ChriAtmiu <Iay 800 L«» 
anointed and urowued Cbarktnague fiuperorcf the Romau, 
and Charlemagtto, ^andoning the tiUo of PatneioD, reocAToi 
that of Emperor and AugUfituB. While he waa at prayer at 
the confeaeiona) of Saitit Peter, the Pope, oocoiDpaniod by Uw 
Btahops, prieets anil French and Roman lords, approached 
htn) and placed upon hU head a golden crown, and all tha 
people ©xclaimetl, 'Victorj' and h>ng life toCbarlt^s. tbe moal 
pioiia Augustus, great and pacific^ whom God crowneth' 

■ " Iltiiry «u «9 tmr wnqaeror that the ^t« of "Borne wttt dolivvrnd 
lip U> Liui, and be wan conMcrAted in iht t^lct^a ctutvh by the aat^poye, 
Clcaicnb in., hifl F^fmnr dmnocltor, tlcvsi^l i^ cIjp tUr« by bb tnuatlctt 
|[LDtm uf BQcicnB after tiirjcor^^v flij^bl U> djhlvru". BcttJia rrMivtid tlie 
iiDpcrUl diadomat^ie saaja liiur^ uid Uvurv ihea tiiml hiarvtideoce ie 
the anderut mfntal of Au^'^^^us aod Cljarl«aii£B« u Uicir lawful 
Huccoswr."— <ll BBO:<- 




Henry's Triumph 



19 Pope then ADointed Ch^rlemftgne witb holy oil. All 
anlhor^t itgree in sftyiug tbnt he then pronounced the oath 
tek«ol>y WiNBtioceHHora-^'i *' I, Euipt^ror, |>piini8v<H in the datdo 
of Jivaii Christ, hvfore God, and the aposble Sftint ?eU^r. Lhrtt 
I will protect mid dr^fend the Holy Bomau Chnruh tt^ofit 
«U iw fkr as God giTea loe strength and power/' Thm 
•olomi) declftraLi'>a conctuded with the folJavring Appcfil to 
Dirino JuBtioe: *'So may God and th^nb Holy Go«pob hdp 

IDC/*' 

The erown was in Htnry'H posaeffiion at laetn though, ob a 
ProtOBtant hifitorian fl^verely commetttB, " Itn w«u^r could 
CO moTQ, with (he aame lofty confidence, olaim to be the 
high^t power an earth created hy anil nnjiwerable to God 
aloiie.*' Nor vnut bin trtumph on C'i>niplete iia he had expected 
it to be. The PonlifT whom he s^tiigHt to hniniliatn wag 
inftrcifijliy spared the knnwledge of LhiH laiil (lutnigir upon 
the rii^hte aud tligoity of the Church. " lie waa teo tibar bie 
end to bon.r xiii^h n bKjw wiUi ijiipuiitty, and hJa frioudn very 
wieely kept public cveajta from htm." 

Vho King, to give him hie correct liUe. ecem« to hare 
been troubled by no ecruplea of cotmcience. or if he were, be 
stifled thorn within bis brcAct, From tho date of bin 
Dorotiation by Guibert he aaaumi^, but in empty fono, the 
imporial dignity. His fovoriiib longing to wear the diadem 
abowa, remarfea the historian, "the anxiety with which the 
Emporoia wUhed to bo regarded le the aucceuior* of 
Atiguetoe." 

Although the title f)f Gmporcr ia generally accorded to 
Henry by htAtorians, 1her« in no mentiou of hie having 
reci-ived (MiDgrntolntiotta oa hii; coronation from any of bia 
contemporary Kuntpeau aovereigoa. 

The tnumph be had achieTecl in Borne made him deeiroos 



' 1^0 Choraliar fVArt&ud dt- Montor. 

^ Ilua f orm of c«4li in Mill rctkinod in Eagtiah oourU of law, aad le 
aBiout«d to by Uhj witacvi kiattog th« Gti«f>oJA u\n>a whidi be hM 
Bwoni, 

>J9 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

to motir^ n permanect cetdbliBhrnoni of his authority is 
There rotnuDcd but ooe obsUole in hie path, and ths 
he 4ocid«d bo romr»vfi for otot. Hii b4itr«d for hU ooM 
had now boooi&o m faoAtieftl that tb^ war resolved imd 
tato A poroonal atrngf^k, whicb ho doterminod wat to mt 
only by het doath or irubjcgatJon. 

He rctnrned t<» GArmAny itftisr ihn roookory of iht 
ooronfition oeremony, and Almoflt immodiAtely on hiiamn] 
Aont forw&nl the main hnily at hw army inUi TDflcany^ H^ 
aim ftnd object wa^ to liibtf HftUtda by surprise. «im1 bj tb« 
KUpGnor cqniprDCDt and aumbcra of \m troope to orcrvbeln 
hoT patriotic hftod and extaroiiDAto bor power nd 
JufiuoDce^ 

The ''Oroat CountDBa/' either tJiiawaro of the Kuigk 
r4««j^fl ej^ainst hcraelE, or feeling: uaable to fnutrate tbv< 
WA0 at tho luomdot fully ocoi]pi«d ia roioiKtoring to the oetdi 
of tho widows And orphuna of the viotima of his fomtfr 
inoiif^ions info TuscaDy. 

F<ir her people's sake «he trt-^rnhled at Uie very xdtm <i 
another war with all ila atteiidaDt calnmities, and. bat fer 
her iiil>om pJitriol.ism, would lik« a rer^d linve buwctdlivrheaii 
to the coiuiug att^rm, But the faitlifiil heart wbleb bad 
given its most sivcrod troaAiirea lor the canee of freedom, 
ConM not eutertam the proepeet of aubmiaaion to a forei^ 
yolco. She determijucd. therefore, to mamtato a vij^liuit watch 
npOD the boundarie-s which formed a natural aftfcguard of tho 
lands of her forefnlhcra, and to adopt a polioj of defoooein 
the event of a sudden invafllon. 

In the midst of the caree of GovemmeDt ber tbongbta 
wore ^ver tumirg fowardfl the eiok Pontiff, and whenever it 
waa poeeible abe braved the long; tireitome journey to Salora^— 
and pnid rare bnt precioun viRita to the v^nerabln i>xil& ^M 

T(i Gregory her sympathy atid ohild-Ulte devulimi winre 
atiurcea <if mnoh coneolatirin, and tt wae to thi^ faithful 
dnnghter of the Church that lie addreeeed hia laat written 
words of bleaaing. "I have you in the taidat of my «z- 

240 



Matilda s Vigilance 






tramity/' Enid lie. " timt does not ftsboniith me, for if I am 
loToil of you as I love yiiu, nobtidy paseea before mt- in your 
heart" 

Whik [leniy> ebtc^l with pride at the eucceufal (ennina* 
tJOD of hie campaign, pursued bia homewanl jotirney. Matilda 
WM a pTGJ to cooataot cbnxiety for tho Popo'e aafotj. StM 
hod instinotivQ dread Jeet the monarch, intoxioatod witH hin 
power, should mftreh southward to Salcmo and laj viuJuut 
banda upon tbe exiled Oregory. She hurried tliithcr with « 
few ohosan roeu-at'Urms to reinforce the NormanSi and if 
need be to shed her blood in defence of tbe Holy Father. 
Happily, her feare were groiindleis, and Henry paseed on hia 
wny witljout making tlie least higu of hostile movement, 

Tho priuaesB, howavcr. w&s well awAra that his iDteutioDS 
vere not as pauiSe qa he would have Uiem appear ; the oalm 
iroe too trcacherou6 to last, ite deceilfiil sileui^e w&n ImL tlia 
prelude to the gatherlug titorui. There had been nn rceon- 
dlintion botweoQ the consini, and Matilda kneir that atie had 
offflud<Td the wrathful Kiug tuo dooply to enppose be would 
thu» oaeily f<:irgive hyr spirited defence of Urog^ory, S^c loHt 
no time in vaui eonjeotnres, but "with eombined judgment, 
discrotion and energy" she prepcired with all ooncvix'able 
foreeight for the hostile attack by which Bhu anticipated 
Henry would fnllciw up his late suecesa. Although Matilda 
tuiid received uo intelligence of his [>rojf^cted invaeion xhe did 
not on tlmt oocujunt lasMen har precantiona against such a 
coDtingeucy. 

ITtr jwwrrn of orgdnisation were well tested dimng the 
few months which followed llenry's entry into Home. She 
prepared her towns and dtiee for prolonged eiegee, atid pro- 
tected her outiyiug Uamlebe by anuing the inhabitanta in 
r^wiincsa fcr auddcn surprises. She increased the numbers 
of her troops, and her knighte a&d Bijuirea endearouiod to 
instruct the new reetuit* in tlie art and tacUos of war. 
Hessengera were dispatched to the lengtli and breadth of the 
marquisate, calling upon the poople^ by th&ir patriotism and 
241 



Madlda, Countess of Tuscany 



loyalty, to nUlyroiuKl the dig of Saint P«t«r, SenUnalfl 
pwted in gnard ovor the raounta^in paasds mnd defilv^iud iiH 
the Fjuthfiil koaping of har Mu1>jcctA whe delivered hdr Dorthvt 
fortress eBL 

Matildft Wi«iw thjkt in thrr nlKi^nci^ of juiy organised inn- 
ing &I1 oncouiiLer in Lh» fitsJJ ciiuM only c<iii] in a disastnts 
defedt for her toyal bnnd Thore wih no other miflvu W 
defence againHl tbo enemy except by taking thorn luuwm 
and though she could not face thorn in battle array. et« 
* might eaaily overcome them ae a flying hoat^*' Rec^Uu^ to 
memory the sneeo^ of hcrr midni|;^ht sortie from CoaoaaAb 
rceolved, if the opportunity offered, to repeat tbo m&tKi-CTA 

Norhodshcloui; to wait ere put tint? her t*ottcs ioto exeeo- 
tioa Onward, without fmy wamini^of iU approach, cametltf 
imporirU army, emholdiMicd by the fonuLT ochiovementA 4f 
their eomrodee, and conQdent of as csosy and fniitful vietoij- 
To thQJr astonishment th«re &ppoar«d to b«» no dign of btUDlB 
life in pasB or defile ; the solitude of the mountains vofi of^ffM- 
aive and weighed upon their nptritft They dr«adod a 
trtuchh>roua ambush, and were cu-uUotis in their advance M 
they should be caught in a trap by the intrigning ItalSaM- 
No bar. Jitiwovar. vom made t" their pnigrrac^ and thoir ffMtf 
were diesijinted un they di^scended upon the open plaina 
Without obtairdog sight of aeingle Tuscan UieaoIdieTsereotd 
their tente nnd made preparations for their 6rat night'a en- 
campment. Kre long th^ bustle aod act^x-ity gave way to 
ailcnco and, fati^ed with their toilsome journey, iho lacn 
were soon fiunk in sleep, without any misgiving a» to 
personal safety. 

The mountaineers, warned of the ooming (?an^er. 
though unseen by the Germane, kept striet WAtch on the 
hdighta, from whence they commanded a view of whM wa* 
passing in the vnlleyB below. The very childreoi %'oliintaarawi 
HH MuniiiieU to ^ard their hom(.'N from surpriiw, and their 
Hharp g&£o was on the ^^l^rL to dutect iim preaenoe of th« fo^ 
Thr ni^it of a stranger thri3w them into eat«i(«in«nt aa 



IOCS 

3 




Midnight Attack 



hcTAlfiin^ the advaace of an army and ecnt them speediog 
with the Bwiftnese of deer to commuiiicatc their terror to 
theif rolfttivos. 

Aiddd by thedo QareljLong edcrte of her devoted people, 
and with unbounded confideooe in the proteotion of Heaven, 
Matilda GonceDtrated all the enorgieB of her mind in the 
furthemnce of planH for the protection of her caar<)UL;3atd. 
PoUawing the esAmple of her aneostors, who had stamp&d 
their iinprej^ of courage upoti thtd valiant daughter of their 
warlike rotie^she resolved by every efTort to resist n.ny attempt 
to wrest from her the soiaileBt portion of htir lawful Leriiaga 

The Cuuntesaitud her trusty bAud ttwaited with tbrobliiDg 
hearts for Udiugs of the advent of the Qerutfius. Well they 
knew th&t a victory at the otitaet wouJd poatpome, if not 
olto^ethi^r prevent, the acourge of internal war The tension 
and suapenae upon tho norvee of the men as tbo aound of the 
heavy march of their iotiB was borne upon the air toward* their 
strainod m^bo of hearing was almost uuboarable. With the 
thcn^htlessueBs of yuuthmany of their number could scarcely 
be reetrMned from rash and frenzied movemeute which woulJ 
have bf^trayod their presence and frustrated Matilda's plans 
for their safety. At her whiapered order a few of her 
followerai whose dtscreLion she trusted, veutiu-ed to creep 
eaotiouflly towards the German camp. The Dew» they brought 
cm their raturu filled the Couutesa wiLh cuufideuce of nucceHS. 
The spies reported that "the outposts were guarded with 
Dcgligcncd," aud this omission of military duty augured well 
for the favourable termlnatiou of their euterprtae. 

In the dead of night* while the troops wore dreaming of 
home or of the riob plunder they would find in the palaces 
of the Countess wherewith to deck tho ooiuely figuree of their 
brides, they were suddenly awakened to th« realities of life, 
tnd for some that was their last fitful eleep, 

Meanwhile, headed by the Couuleea, who had enjoined her 
m^n to observe the strictest silence, the TuBcans slowly 
wended Iheir way from the heijfhts by intricati? paLhrt known 

HI 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 






oolj to tbenMelvflflr ^^^ ^^ «ziBteDee of wbich waa 
peoU<I by the focL Really to meoi with patriotic fw«nfi 
wIiAUvQr by th« ch&iic€« of war Uy before them. th«y, tii 
KiTcn nignikl, ttwoopcd dcrvD cpooi tho c»mp wiUi tha mddaa- 
Doaa and preciaou of eagloA, MatilJA'd wor-cxy of 'SHOi 
Potcir light for iia 1 " roLDg out ia tho etill air. and, s&ys DouA 
"tho tenibk nam<? of the ApoBtU awoke the ilumbeni^ 
eoldi<rrs/' who wore earroundod ore ihoy ot>uJd rally, lb 
OQUBual darknoee of the cuj^ht, thoir ignoranoe of iM 
poffition And of the Diimbore of the osBAilanta, onaaed a o<a- 
fuslon vhich, ero long, duddd hi a panJo among tho talIQ^ 
Btricken men. 

FromallsiMeiiof thectimpreBonndecl londshontaof "Slitl 
Petfir ! " '' Sfttnt Peter and Matilda 1 " mingled with the ODnM 
and criea of the wounded Qermana. Id vnin the imp^iu] 
officers endeavourtid tn restore disoiplmn. ft wa« inapOMiUi 
So tho miat to dintingitif^h between fnaod aud loe. bob 
soldier sought to save htnuielf by flight, aud t:i tfyin^ to col 
a poaaagd tbrcugh the Tn4l^ fought iadieoriminaloly wi& 
those nearest to htm who hisdered hie eecapc In this wsj 
the fogitivoa more often hnrt their own couutrymeD than thft 
Tiiwaaa, vrh<\ by Matilda'i atricF^int orders, kept aa cloae m 
pofifliblo to her and to oach othor throo^^hout the oQoouDter. 

The straggle, though aharp, waa from th« firat too oneqW 
to he of long daratioo^ and Mattlda'a victory waa complete 
and decisive. The Germaoff, with all pOMtiblu ftpoed* mftd* 
good a predpitoae retreat from the Eoano of th«hr ditoom* 
fitur^j and "in a few hoTiri one aaw nothing of the eneiD; 
hut corpeee and Inggagi*/' 

TliednWTi, whiulj iuItAlyhreake with startling atiddenikeAB, 
ontolded tt> Matilda's saddened ga^ the terrible rvtttiltatjf 
the night's condict Her boaom heaved with aynipatli«tto 
emotionf which the eight of the dead and wos&ded aoldien 
caoaed her, an with foltonn^ acceuta ahe gave inetmctiooe 
for their careful rennivaL 

in spibo, however, of the horror with which the epoctado 

J44 



Victory 



L hvptnfd Her, sUt? could not but fiwl a ntn»t at a&tiftfiictioD at 
^ tbe ftQcceee of the attack which had saved hor countr; from 
Q^miAn occupatioQ. To ber great joy elio d^ORrtamed that 
hor victory was achieved vHthont the death of any of her 
followers, though many hud boen wounded b; tho eeoaplDg 



^ 



i 



foe. I'he JoBflCd on the Odrmati side were more severo, " the 
jSomtnander was killed, and six olBoem and a hutidrad luen, 
cludrng BBveml Lombard Qoblee of diatiDctiou/' were taken 
prisoners^ Over fuur hundred horeoe, beeidee tenia, forage, 
money and ncooutr^mente fell into the pngsesaion of the 
CiiniiteBa The fngitivea hitd no time to colleut thvir prrNimal 
property, and tlto (.^tire camp remained at the mercy of the 
Tu3canB. Matilda ^ti\e her meu permieBti>n fci iduirc the 
spoils nrooDg themselves, to be regarded as aouvenii-a of their 
bravery and of the mercy of He&ven. The priatmor* vero 
,fl»tat liberty 00 ^ving a promiflo never again to bake up 
ftrmA agfiiuat their generona CAptor. a promise which, alae ! 
waa Boon diEiregardud^ 

"The plory, the pmdonoe, the firm spini \>? Matilda 
caused admiration oven among her en^miea/' eiuge the pf»ot, 
"the Great Counteed is the dread of all" 

l^ith a few words of praiae the prmceaa di^muued her 
folhiwem, nnd withf»ut giving herself time to recover from 
the ofter-effecta of the baltltr, abe purautfd ber way throngh 
thn ct^rl^ dawn t<iwnrds Siilerno^ Had ftha not been endowed 
with wiindeHul utdr-restraituEig power nhe tnunt liAVct 
eacGQtnbod totboanxietiee which at thia time daily opprdoaed 
ber AouL But hor pentonal onictiona h'ld ao little Kwny over 
her that the perils and difficuhios from which she hod Utely 
omwged, and which wonld have proatrated most women, 
aoomed to a earcleaa cbaorvcr to poas over her without 
leaving a trace. 

Through the early boiire of moming, under Ihe heat of 
the mid'daj fiun, whose raye in turn gave plaee to tho cJcor 
meonlight^ through untold diacomforta and hidden dongera 
roda the princett. No r«et did ahe allow her wearied frame 

^4* 



L 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

until tho towers of tbo ciuttU in which Q r^ g ov j Uy ^f^ 
appeorod la view. Her Jooniey w&a now nearly enddd Bfsil 
perchance the sad and nobto tienrt would gladly bive 
li&ilod it us htfr Itai. The errHud which had brought h« 
thither was a aolemn leave-tftlcing »f Uie R'oly PUhv. 
Never more would the saintly PuutlfT gr&et har ft^ cjf yow 
with words of hoailiiig cuiDfort a.jv\ blowing. Never more 
would abe bear the sweet counaeU which, aa Ibcy fell in 
softened ftcceote from hifl lipa, wer« for over |;ravon upoo htf 
heart and memory. 



M* 



Death of Gregory 



CHAPTER XI 

And nhht (-ood dt^odn viDC>.< Rrat it rOM 
TInvi- I |ir<j4cnlcd, I-oid. to Th»e, 
An oHurinifft t>i my mmiatry 1 

Wh&t HLrujfjjIi* ijauwvd* «lukl vklvQ c&inod ! 
Tot Thmo own pu r pow Thou hut tttnV 
The Atnfc uid tbc dUcoim^cmcnt," 

As if Heaven had rewrved for Mtttilda cn^ rsy of 
6omf4>rt in her hour of sorrow, aha found Gregory gtiJ ^ivo 
Although she was but juat in time to bid him f&ruwcU. 

KuctiUrg lit hie eidc eho bowod hi>r hood in inoxpnweiblo 
gnof AC, with opJiftod hand, the PontifT hcctowt^ upon ber tbc 
last blesBiEg hi> would give upoTi ^arth. Id a faint and 
w^Ary voice the dying exiJe l>eBoiighi Heaven to coof^ npoti 
hiB staunch ally *' pardon for her Fftulta and b^nedif^tioii fcr 
her merits. ' 

T^ie IToly Fathei' then received the Viaticum nt the hauda 
of Hngu of Cluuy, who bad braved thn tnog journey in order 
to euibr&ce hta fnend eri* they hbotild be re-uuited in hcavcu. 
" His faltering lips had ctosed on the tranaubaUntial 
elements." The finAl unction had fpven oesurancc that the 
body AO aoon to be committed to the diiat would riwo again in 
hODoar and incorniptioo. Anxioub to catch the If^t Accents of 
that once oraeaJar voice, the moumerv were bouding over 
him when hi.* breathed out his upirit, exclaiming, " We have 
loved juBtiec and batod tniquity, and for IhU we die in 
exile. "> "Nay, Holy Father," replied Hugo, "to exile tboQ 
^ Stagt M Sfttmattical Sioffrap/i^. Uight UonounbU Sir Juqm 
Stvphva. 

U7 



L 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

cannt not die, who a« Vic«r of Chriab uid nifi apootlM Iwt 
received the nattonB for Uiioe inheritAooe uid tJaa ntmoit 
|>iu-t» cf tijo cjirth for tliy poseemon." A emilc ilJamincd tbe 
foaturee of tbe dyiiig FoiiUil Probably tUo prophecy of b» 
childhood vras recalled to hii mind by tho ivords of tk 
Abbot : " He ehoM haTa domintoo frooa B«a to bb&" Aad m 
thti ligbt cf futurity ho rOAli««d Uut " thottgK UiA nuu dlii 
the cause lived" 

This was an 33rd Mny 10S5, when Grogorj uraa lo tht 
twdfth year of hia pontiSc&te a&d the seven tj-- third nf hit 
agu, Alban ButU^r HHyi; of him, "Hit firedverved a perfect 
trftDqnillity of etrul. hftvicg hi» ht<&rt etron^ly Rxoil nn Giid' 
*' Even ilia euemias of Ortagory/ wiy« s ProUetAnt bifttoriu, 
''are obliged to coafeaa that th« raliug U>oo^ht of &o 
Poatiff, the iodepeLdeoce of the CLurob, was iiidu^>ei]aaUe 
for tho propagation of religion, and the n^fonnftttoii of 
flocdety, and to that end it was uccossary to hrcaJc th« fetl^fs 
which bound the Church to the State to the great dottimeot 
of rcIigioD. It wftB Dt^cceeary for the Church to be u 
dntirety, a unit in it£<jlf and by iteolf, a Dirioo iuatitvtHW, 
whose icfiuenc^ is salutary to all m«n, to be arreeted by no 
prince of tho world. The Church is God's society, of wbicb 
no mortal can claim the goods or the privilege and of whioh 
no priDce can^ without crime, asnrp L^ie junndiotioD. As 
tliere is but otie God and one faith, so there ia hub dw 
Cliurch with one Head/' ^ " The independi^H^t^ of the 
Church/' coiitinues the iHarued wxitur, who certmidy Ljm) bo 
leanings towftrdn the faith which Gregory [irofcMcd, " that is 
the gveat point round which grouped all httt thoughts, all bit 
writinge, all hie actions like tuminoua raye ; she w4o the eod^| 
of all hid operations." 

Gregory himself, in one of hia epistles, cxprcKoe the aame 
thought " Wo dofiire but one thing, that the impious repost 
sad return to their creator. Wo have but ono d^strcv that 
[ih« Church, oppressed and overturned everywhere, resume her 
< Sistvire da pope Gng^irt VU. tfC mm m^«. Par J- Toi|[t. 
a4a 



Fulfilment of the Prophecy 

kRinntflplenHmiraDdAolidUy, Wehave bat one object, tbftt 
God br glonlied in ub, and we with oor brethren, even with 
ih^ne wlio pertifcntd ue,ttii that we ma j nil merit to arrivn 
at nit^rtiul HfeL RegAiii coora^e, tlien, vnnceive m lividy 
hope, fix yuDr gaae upon t-be atmidard of tlie trterual 
King where He oaja to us, * In patience poABeee yo your 

BOUlfi," 

Althongh Qregory bad. «e ho moamfuUy obAorvod, "died 
in oaiie/' bia labuure had roapod u glorious hwrveat. H;; had 
amply fulfilled his miefiion nud adiieved the end for which for 
80 many yoara he bad toilud oitd oufiored. The Churoli^ 
animated by hja eutinplo and zqM. bf^-nooforth assorted bor 
rigljt to freedciD of aotiuu and boldly placed a restriuuiug 
hand upon the arrogance which daimed tbe right of 
choosing ood elcoting bet Vicars^ 

Ariiidi»t the mauifohl cares and dtBtroetions msepaiabld 
from bis pontificate, Orugory hafl rigidly malDt-jiititxI the 
rale of 8t Beitedict, whioh enjoined the devotion of several 
houra a day to literary piinmilK By this re^lar and 
metbodicfU use of lua pen he was able, evan during the 
preeaiikg hasineflS i)i hiA goTemment, to indite no l«es than 
ten Books of Eplatlcs, to^^ther with two appendices, and of 
biA letters, lengthy ae moat of them w^re, more tbaa two 
hundred and serenty have bcdn prMorved. "His b^Io iSi" 
remarlca the critic, "ogrooablj to the cbainctcnstic of his 
mind< bold, vigorous and imprcesivv." Thruugbout bis 
writings, wh«tb«r letters or theological treatises, ther« rtins 
thesame thonghiof ttandarsolioitad^for tboChuruh of which 
ho was lh<t temporal bend, and this thread, woven as it word 
into lb« very texture of his life, i» traceable in all his E^untJea, 
"That is why/' continues tbe bistorian, "Gregory inniHted 
no much on ilm mibuiiMsioit of thu Emperor to the du^rvos of 
Uie Church." » 

The higbeat testimony 1o OrftgoTy^geuhiftisthat borne in 
1677 by HIb HoliiioflN, Le<>. XIIL, who was at the time 

' Vo(«t, 
349 



I 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

CiirdiniU Pccci, diiriii)j a coDvertitttioi) on this chMvcief ol 
tht> threat PontifT "I honour tiim/' Mktd Uie O&rdiDal, " f ct 
thi; Loli&688 And ^tifitcnty qF hi& Life. Etui wim s ercfttift 
And coiutrocttve mind. OtUera, like St Peter DamUii,a«v 
and l&DkeQt^d the evils of the day. They fought ooUFigttOCU^ 
tuid por>«venDgly agAuist aimonj in hi^h pJaceo. and agftUkrt 
immorality among tho clergy. Bat Hddcbr&nd, for ho wm 
not then Popv, aaw deeper and moro clearly into the ttlOT 
from which thoso ovih aroG«H To hi« penctrntinf eye tbi 
tm« eauMc appeared to be the slavery of the Chur^ to Uj 
influotica- HiA eaj^l* eyo d^tocted this blot, and thr«>u^h hii 
indueri(:e thd Pope in Cauiicil sol^muly decr&eed that bene^- 
forth and forever the choice of a successor to St Pet«r abooU 
rent in the G^Uego of Gardinitls, the Bisbopg, PHcvte, Deacom 
nnd ^ub-D^&cona of the Roman Chnrch. For a ihoiuand 
years the choice of a Pope had dopecdad ori the clianetw aud 
circumBlAnces of the hour. Prom Uiat time forward it wtf 
placed in the haads of a responnihlfi and compet<^ikt authority." 
" The Chuti^h ia to-d^y,'' cootiiiued the CavdiuaL '* vhal 
Hildebrond made it. jSince the days of Bb Peter there ia ay 
hand whoAc work ia ao eonapicnoiu in the conetitution of th& 
Chni^h uA that* of Bildohrand." ^ 

It woa Gregory 'e proctioal ChriHtianity which enabled hnn 
to gain the roepect of euch men as Eob&rt Guiecard tad 
rendered htm '^a power among bia contemporariei, aod the 
dread o! evil-doera." Hiatorians have remarked, as a revets 
tiOD of his natural kindnosa of he»rt, that, living in an a^ 
when human life was held in little value, be allowad noae to 
be put to death during his pontiScate. Although ho ateraly 
and onfiinchingly rebnkvd error he ww* ever tender 
peaitenlH, and persona) nflVontfi he never resented. 

He wan interruJ in Salerno beneath the dome of 
Gothic c&thedral founded by Bobert Ouiscard, and wbic 



I 



I 



id3 



^Catusat*, edited b/ tb« Bight R«v, Mgr. QndwvU, IfottMStM 
Pr«UuUi Bu Hohn««a L«o XlU. 



Saint Gregory 

prior to the depArtur^ of the Dukir from Italy, bad Iwen 
de<licnt«d by the Pope to Saint Matthew,) 

Nearly five hundred years later thn Ixnly of Gregory wo* 
brougiit to the light of day. Drtsstd id his poobificnl rohea 
lay tlie warrior of the Church befare whnm kiiigv luul stood 
abashed and tyrjuitn trembled, and to whiiui the poor and 
OpprcAAud had never lookei] in vain. Hi* body vraa, w<» 
learn, wonderfully prfraerved, and no little changed and 
"lifelike" were hia featurt^a that he appeared to the be- 
ikoldera "as if merely asleep." 

The CharcU. evor ready to honour the memory of her 
children who have endured tribulation on her behalf, bsJi not 
forgotten the Holy Pontiff who eudered eo much perwecalicn 
to prtworve bor rights inviolate, lo 1584. on the annivwrwry 
of his death, hie name was enrolled in the list of sainU by 
order of Pope Gregory XUI., who roign^ at that time. 

'*A11 Italy/' we are told/' was convuUe^d by the now* of 
his daaUi," but probably Matilda's subjects felt hU loan more 
acutely than did the elmngeable KnmanA, who, afb^r hia do* 
pMrtur«, had i)aietly Hubiuitttsl to the rule of the Anti-pope* 
In tlieir b<iui('ji, on the monnt^in^brow or in tlie Hbeltered 
valley, the Tuscan peasants lamented biH lutia. They «poke 
with bated brcjilh of th»?^ Pontiff who*> ntern fcatunw relaxed 
at the approach nt the humblvdt of bin faithful flock, and 
they wept vith true Italian abandoniucnt 00 they fiallod Ut 
mind the cmny inntAttcco nf bipi kindly copdewflpaioil woii 
interest in their welfare. 

To Eobcrt GutROnd tbc tidingn were overwhelming. 
"He shed teoTB and eoemed as grieved/' writes his eon- 
tompcrary, "as if he bod loat hia wife and hia soa His 
sorrow for the Pope's death was i^at, beeause a firm 
friondship had united them. Never bad eiUicr fallen back 
from the affection which tJiay had p]ed|;ed to each other." 

' Kf&d)- fottr ci<ntuH» tfunrftrdi tk* rctnLirm rtf Lhp utifnrtnn&f 
M>rs&ret of Anjou, vidow of Hcarr VL of Eoglanil, mm d«|K«it«<l 
«ithTn tbU (athvdrar 



Matilda^ Countess of Tiiscanj 

Thii old Normjin kniglit <lii] not lon^ Jttirviv« the RfOv 
FntTier He, whoae eevdiity years hsd been fnr thn mod 
put upcnt in Mrife, tlicil «f ivB infectioUJi Tover sood after hai 
rovex«d Pontiff bad paased aw&^. The vohmoI wbicb, b 
sccordnnce with hia rcqucet, was to bring the body of th« 
Duke to Italy, enoountored encb a Tiokot storm dano;^ the 
voyago tbftt it wois wrecked ftbd it wait >nth groat difficulty 
that the coffin wae eecared. Robert w&« buried in VeoooAtft 
tbg church Adjoining tho monitory vhich he hiniBttf 
fouuiiod. ftud wbich, pnor to bis d«partTiT«, he liad begged 
GrOji^rj to dvdicatc. "Surotj nn b«ttor roiitiu;*-place cooLJ 
have been ohoaeu for the pioua warrior than thia boneath tb« 
nrche« be Likd re^u^ed to th<* glory of God.'* *' Tho celebrated 
Robert, Duke of Apulia, was/' remarks hie ci>utQiiip4wy, 
the GreeV Emprrror Alexia, "rennwned itinong his counlry- 
mea lie raiaed lumFtulf," otjotiimaa tJte royal hmt^irian, "to 
the rank of Grand Duke from a ajuiple cavalier aod beooiui* 
BDvcroign of thued of hxA warlike tiatioix bijth in Sicily aJiJ 
Italy. Did not the etandfird of tbe German Emperor, of tho 
Koman Pontiff, ^ nay, our o^vti imporiftl bonnftrv, give way 
before him, until, cqaullr a wily statceman and a farara 
warrior, bo bocauia the terror of Ruropt."^ 

To Robert and to hia brother Roger. biBtoriane remind 
Italy owes a deup d«bt of gratitude, mni^ it w&m by thi^ 
efTorU thcLt i>m\y wau freed from the invading Saracens. 
"The island, thus delivered from its liercti foea, began to 
revive and fionrished h» « kingdom for nearly pight hundred 
yeitre.*' Tbe iiibi>nj diBciplitie of the Normnmi, by iIji very 
contrast to the reHtleHS oioitahility which characterised the 
ItJiltnuA, wan nil intluoiico hoLh widespread and beneficial. 
The spirit of cbiv&lry which was awakeniug in Kniopc foimd 
a home in tho valiant bre'iflts of lbr«9 during sons cf Mara It 
was GfMnmuntcated by them to the peo(?lo among whom they 
iotortnixcd, and added a Btcfidy tcaaoity of will to their 

■ L«K>1X. 






At Heaven's Gates 



▼Qnatflity and gave them that oonsolicUted firinD«flB of whbh 
they stood in need. 

In Towany daat!] claimed yet anotber pnbliG character 
&nd Again (teprived Mat.ildn oFa frinmd and roniiMplW This 
ynitt Anse]ia, the ag^ed aud Haiutly Binfmif of Lucica, whit ifii 
n«nry'a occapaticpn of that city had qailtod his See and 
rtttired to tliG friendly ebelter of Caooaaa. Doubso gWlly 
hailed the preeeoce of tlic prolntc witliin the widla of the 
fortrctttt. The poet foand much to admire m him, and to bia 
pen vrt} are indebted for the following description of tLe 
ftitnro aaint) ''by whoBe unwtari^ band the library of 
Matilda waa trmltipluKl. Ho rarely slept in a bed. Often he 
wrMe all rdfiht, and when he met with a new book ho road it 
with avidity," Hv waa at this time over eighty years of a^^e, 
but hia mind wa* nnimpaired and hia pen remained indefatig- 
able to the end, Tn one of his worke he disproves the right 
of tcnipnral powem "to give pastors t« the Chnrob," and 
vindicates the policy of Gregory. He had taken that PontifT, 
though <7onaJ durably his junior in yeara, as hia mod«], and 
waa " his riglit arm in ecclesiaalioil atTaiifi in T^inbardy." In 
onothor cpi«tlo ho confutes the [>retenfijons of the onti-popt?, 
and arg^ea "that teonperftl princes cannot dispoao of the 
revcnncs of the Church," 

The miflfortunea whioU had fallen npoo the Holy See 
through the kiiij^ had weighed hoavily upon the Bishop iiud 
brought to a rapid decline "a life which had dnfl^ iincon- 
Kciouflly iat^J old age." Under the filial coro of the aifiictcd 
Coonteas he passed away not many months after Orojfoiy 
had breathed hia hist, and juAt a cjaarttrr of a century before 
the deoeaae of his couulryinan, uameaake and felhiw-aaint 
AnH«lru op Ai>atA, ArchHshop of OanLnrtniry. He waa 
engaged in wnting a cominejat&ry on th« Psalmn wliiin thpi 
welcome summons cnmo that called the faithfnJ soul tu itji 
et«roal reward With a sigh he yielded hia gentle spirit just 
n» bia feeble handa had tracod the la«t words of praiae by 
whkhtbe U«brew King, in a npiveraal hymuof joy, reodarwl 

a53 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

^mbifnl UiAJika to hm Hftker "Tbufl," quumtly rnnimrku Um 
c]iroDicI«r, " Malildft \mi two nicn on whom she leaned u£ 
wt»o liUked upou hat," &ad both of whom &ro caroHod amoaf 
Uw Minto of Ood. 

(1066,) W« miial. howcTor. return lo the DftrrstiTo d 
erenta which foUowod tho doc«MO of Gro^ioty. Ihaiin; tht 
timD which eUpsed bof^rd the hcaiiatiojc Cftrdiiuds held thur 
couiuni the Biahop had poMod «wcLy> Hu death left •« 
cJkOieo to th«m hut U> conform to the wlshda of Orogoty tf^ 
otoct eiLhor Desidertiu of Moute Cftfioino or C&rdiiukl Otto 
of Khoim« to tb« vacant throne. The itAte of aflftirs waa, ts 
the hlfitoriaii has remarked, " embAn^asMng. But Matilda vu 
equal to the Eittintion, The GardinaU attxKMQbled at At 
inrtiuiee of the Oounteiu, and at th<>ir iue«tmj[ she pre ao ad th» 
election of th? Ahbcit" H«t di5Ukr uf Uw Nomuutt harf 
long Hiaoit giveji |ihiet? lu » ^uuiae admiratd<ai for Iheir 
brarery and piety, and daring her riaitfl to Qrc^^ry rihe had 
been much touched by thmr evident draire to n^liove the 
tedium of hja exile. She therefore promised to ooioia 
ti> Salemo to be pr«icnt ut the enthrone mtnt* frnd alao to 
aid the new Pontiff to recover the Ufaair of St Peter. 

The PopO'Clect wa«, like hid prcdoccMor, a oonntrjanon 
the Countca«, and belon^^ to the iUoatricfie family of t 
ConntB oE Marn, He was born in the old Roman city 
Bcrcvcnto which had come into the oocupatiou of the 
Normans &nd woa held by them as a fief of tlie Charch 
Here ho received the moal finished education i: waa po«an)l« 
to obtain, and gav^ pri^niiHo of b<>ing a nio«t proficMot 
eeholar. Seion of a putrician mee and bon of a R^man 
princt4, Deeicieniia was dcflbirrcd by birth and influcnee ti^| 
grac^ Lhn highest dignity iu hln imtivt laud- He had, how- 
tavern uo Ambition to oepire to empty honouiv. and waa of m 
amiable and gentle a diBpofiition that it almost cunoantcd 
iimtdtty. l^vcD afl a chill nothing wti.^ mere repugnant 
hie retiring nitture than thu oatentutjon aud publicity whie 
hie rank and richea demanded of him. Dtiriag hia boyhood, 



to 

i 



w 






The Monk Desiderius 



the prince, on his vaj to and From tbe monastic school, d&ily 
pABAod under the famouB oroU which briars witncsfi to Tnyan'ii 
triUTopb of ftrnta The citizens, to whom hie toll, slight 
figure waa familiar, noted with knowing locka his ap%mrd 
glance fttthe battte-acenea depicted ou the coIuidd, and mimy 
were the conjectures haz&rded upon hia future course of life- 
Popular fueling was in favour of a martial training, sud & 
brilliant <-ar^er waa prBdict^il for the youug nobleriian whoN^^ 
courtesy to his tw^uaU and kintJly coodesceiision to his 
iatenors had endaAred bim to his ouuubryiQeji- But Uiti 
sages were mi^takcD, As he went on his W07, all uDcoii^cJotiH 
of the criticiEma upon his appearance ctud future, his thoughts 
were roamiog in far more peaceful acenee than thoae depicted 
on the Porta Aurea. They wer*^ with the moaka from whom 
bchadjuBt parted. He pictured them as tboy slowly 61od 
through the cool cloiatora to the roapoctive eeile whi>ro ihoy 
would enter upon their meditation or study, llis goul wae 
tilled with a great yearnia^ for th« calm fiolitnde of reli^ooe 
life, where he could, landisturbed by the diatractione of tho 
world, devote timaelf to serioui4 study and reflection. While 
y«t a yoatb hi>i fathtr reluctantly ^ave his consent to tho 
wtah of his heir. AbfUidoning the care and i7omfort« to which 
hm mnk and richer entitled him, De^ideriU'^. with ajoyf ul hcrnrt, 
hasteued to be enndled ah a monk of St Beuediet. Leo IX. ^ 
during his pouti£cate, which ended in L054, bad paid a brief 
viflit to Bencvento* which city afterwards claimed him aa ita 
patron saint, and atayed at the conyont in which Deaidorius 
waa living, Qo was so obarmod with the msnacre of the 
youog monk-priiicu that bd oreatec3 him Cardinal dctLcoo, and 
in 1059, the same yo^r in which Ore^^ory was created 
Cardinal doacon, DcHid>^riui^ wan raised by Kioho1u£ XL to 
Uie dignity of Cardinal -priest. 

A fear haunted tha recluse lent bin new dignity shotlld 
demand bis residi^ncr- in Hume^ wbuns Iun Umg-amtinu^ 
tranquillity of life would lie broken by the carea appei taiidng 
to bia responsible ponition in the Church. Dcu^ideriiifl 

«J5 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



in the highcBt do^rco the vooatioD far % nlifiov 
liffi^ ui<l was in dtBpoaiticn and Uatoe oasentiAllj ft iQ«ei 
Boj^Dd Iho prooicGU of tho cloiHUr thoro oxieWI forliia 
DO h&ppmeee,&Dd he coasidered all time as wftjt4Ml tlifttvH 
not dtvoUd to God. Oa tho daf After bi« rcc^pt of tit* 
Cardinal'e h&\ he proceeded to Monte CaBamo and pre>iol«if 
himsulf ut tlio^tt»foriuimiaHii>n U^ihait^-'i^lclinitud monutaij, 
Herd he perniBueDtly took up bis abode, and ao ediftod iht 
liruthrcn by his daai^Iuuiis nttctjtiou Ut his religioiu linlMi 
tfmt lUe^ uuaniniouBt/ olacted him their Abbut, th4t thir^ 
aovcnth from the time of St Baoi^ot, and ho reUkiu&d tit 
title nutiJ hia death. 

Of delicate hu&lth, anil oktAdy advanct^d in yeare ftl Uit 
tiino of Gref^ory'e dooeaae, Peaidoriud dcair^ nothing i&are 
than to bo alJowod to remain uadittturbed in the aotilodtf 
he bad cboaea 

Snob wa« tho ohnructi^r of th» nan whirtrn the Cardicali, 
mindful of Grogory'a dyiag wiab, proceeded, without any 
intitnation of thetr intentioHj to elect to th? govonmtnt 
of the Cburcli at a time wh^u parti nieiiactfd bor on ev«>7 
side. The period requirud that a Pope should bo ft mtn 
of inflextliti will, ahlv b; the vary furce af hia intellect to 
oompe! that deferenoa &od obodienco which Ute Cboidi 
damaads of her children, Tho daily iucrmsing pontifical 
btLrd&D neoeseitated an iron oonstittitioD to eapport itt 
weight abd to witbatand Hiq inoensant etroin upon oarvt 
and Attention which a constant vigilance exactad. *'Ono 
is aBtooiabed/' rcmurka on authority, "that Cfix^gory abool^i 
have nominated 8q feoble a Pope. Ho waa liimt«d as to 
choice. He had at firgt d^sgued Aueeko, who was a man 
of goveniment.th^n the Cardinal Otto, who auooeodad Victor. 
He bad designed for third the Abbot of Monto Caaaino, re- 
nowned for his fiweetnefiH and holioeaa," ^M 
DcNiduntm wjia UiWy aware of hia phync<J and mant^^ 
rilortcomingfl, an J begged the Cardiiiala with t«a» tc ohooa* 
a more oupablu rontilT, oiid t(} oxcuio him from oooupjring a 

>56 



Peace in Tuscany 



poet which he w&a unfitted by nature and inclination to ^1. 
Findiug bonrr* wors of uo ftvui) he retuinddd the GArdmti]^ of 
ibo importance of the tiara being upheld at that critical 
momoiit hy & more worthy rep leBentative oi St Peter, and 
finaUy be absolutely rcfoacd to quit his monaetery. The 
Cordinnls, a^toQialicd and alartued at this prolonged resJct- 
ftnce to their wiehea, were at their wits' end to find nc^nii>Dts 
by wltich to coavicee the Abbot of th^ dir« nwoeBBity which 
existed for him to nfisert the prerogative with which their 
«l«ctioD h^ Invested him. Jd the meantime the Church 
gavernment remained without a Director, the flock: without 
» shepherd. Fortunately affitirB in Home had, during the 
interregnum, aasumed « more peaceful clianicter Guibcrt^ 
the auti-pope, liowev^sr, still rotaiDcd the poatiGcal throne, 
but he took no part in public eveotd, and bis authority 
wft^ only maiutained by the presence of the Gorman ^tiard. 

UoDry'a thirst for vongeixnce had been som&what iilabod 
by the exile of the PontiO't and death having delivered his 
victim from further poreecuiion> ho turned hia attention to 
homo a&irs, and by hifi oppru^sion fanned the clambering 
embcrr) of revolt into a flame. The distracted Salmons took 
Qp ariDs, and bo ocoupied hia time in repressing their repeated 
rmtign that he hail no teisurt; to reveu^ himself on Mrttildn 
for the* signal defeat Wis army had sufTered at her haiid& 
" h}^ a Heaven," pionely ramarks Dooifa, '^oe f^oiTipirnAution 
for depriving bar of tha venerated ToutilT aad Guardiitn^ had 
choflOD the time of her atHIction to answer her mother's 
pray«r for peace, the demon of atrife dopa<rted from the land. 
TbU3 the hbaaing of Gregory and Anaelm descended upon 
ootire IlAly— at that moment Matilda wae delivered froau 

*' Itepentant, unr^st«ful Luocft r«-opened her doore to 
h«r Koveri^igti, aud made great joy at seeing ber again." 
Once Again tho Great CouDtef^s waa within the palace nhoM 
wallti liarl ochutfd the Mounda of her mother's voice, and where 
flo many friifndsof whom Heaven had bereft hei iferovonito 
ft 357 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

meet Never more voald tbe alight form of Qr^gor/occopT 
the sQftt oE hcnour, never more would the veoerable A&mIs 
pore oTcr with hvr the nncicat MSS^,the irftOAlAtion of w\uA 
not only afTordod bhom Lbo ebudent's ploftsore, bat al.io MrTt4 
to eonvoy instruction to future &^oe. Many of the treMoroi 
of art ftod litenLtur« htuA be«n stolen or destroyed daiiiis tfa> 
looting of Loooak by the Germaaa, but «nou;j;h remained U 
remind her of hftppy djiyi« of which they were the douveaiiik 
and to be eoarcfvi of corafi^rt to her in the troiiblt^tt which veie 
to Gonic. Liki-! \vt\m upiiii hitr w»ttt]i)c>d HjijriL in the nii^'4 4 
tbcfle liaDowed Aaeociataons was the re&Iifi&tiou Lh^t the vu 
was reaUy ended juid that tbe storm which threatened to 
engolf her bad dispersed. 

Kolievud from the noeeeaity of maintaialDg a abacding 
army, tie princcda disbanded hor men, whom ahe libenl]j | 
rewarded for their aervict.^. Bat more than the gifts whkfc 1 
they received did her fatthfol followers value the pohlie 
Ehcknowlisd^ment she made of their efiorti, and tho thaokl 
she gave them for tha diligence with which they bad di^ ' 
charj^ed their several duties. The loyal Italtatift, doligfated at 
the wnrds of praJse froin the lipn of their "Gmnde Comtema,* 
6Ued the air with their s]ioutfi, an with joyful vtepn ani 
aweJIing hearU they turned homQwarde to rocount (heir 
periloofi adventnteo. 

So quickly had the ex'onts of Honry's mad eseoraon to 
Cancsea. and his subsequent intermittent attacks, followed 
each other that Matilda, occupied as she was with thedeficdace 
of her country, eould scarcely reAliee that moi:^ than nine 
yeara had pa^ed Hince^ by tlio death of her mother, thfl 
responBJbilitit^a of govermn^nt bad dex'olved upon hvr. ^1 

The incessant actiTity whit^h had diattELguished the GreiP 
Coantess during the war wiw equally displayed by her la 
iiu;e»f of peace. Site rode on hoTft^bibuk froin town to town 
and hnlted at die uicAncst villages in order to adiuintater to 
the needH <jf thoae who had been the principal AufTcrora b, 
tbcir loyal defence, 




The Great Countess 



Wo]] sb« 1a>«w tho mighty povor of p^^reonal help ATid 
toiUTuonOatioD, nnd with a g^neroaa bauJ, but witJt strict 
impArtiftlityof distribution, she mingbd ft ww pmrloticd with 
h^r charity. By precept and gentle perauaeion ah« dlaeonraged 
evf^n the huTublp-Ht troui eutin^ the brivii) r>f idltrtt^i;^ nrd kfrpl 
nlive iu ttieiu Uint Mpirit of i nil e|H?rj deuce which causnd Uiem 
in aftitr yrara to be dn^ignfitr^l " tbii proud Tuscans." 

Under hot foat«rini; caro the country, which for ycare lay 
DCgltobcd, or downtrodden by the heedless soldiery, Hlowly 
noOTOrod £rcm the UDivorsal devckstation. At tirst, it is traOi 
tJtfl soil yiolJcd but ix acaiMy harvest as a reward Fur their 
paing. Ere long, however, tho historiAO a£«ur<i8 aa, cattivated 
traeU of pa^turaf^^ added a brilliaat verdure to the plaios, 
Tiiwyardg crept up th?; ntopi^s of the hilla and mountains, or 
in tcrmcefl between the casoadcis which gambolled in the son 
iw they hastened tnjnin the merry jonrney of the Htrenins 
ImIow. The olivi'h no lun^or frvLtpd to rniaic thf*ir h<^<iula on 
high, ftnd, renpauding to ttie careful attention bestowed upon 
tHem, yielded tin abundant nupply of fruit. With buoyant 
opiiito and clastic .f^tcp bom of a sense of frco security the 
mountaineers pursued their arduoua callinf; with a zest that 
rendered them oblivious to tho pcriU and privations by wh.ich 
they earned thotr daily broad, Ail Nature eeemed to rejoic<» 
in the DdW'fcund pea^. The earth brought forth it« produce 
of fruit, oil and grain in such abundiutoe that Matilda was 
able to look with appreciative gaze upon a happy peoaautry 
and a rich and ppnsperoua landL 

But thi4 eheerrnl Jiniiuation did not uii fortunately €it«nd 
i<i nil Italy. In liomea veil <]f uueertAinty prevailed and a 
(enenO gloom hung over puhHc atTair^ Orct;ory bad been 
dead nearly a year, and though a successor had boon elected 
ho made no ^gn of accepianou of Iuei oiBce. Uuibert remMncd 
in flLriet seclusion at the polsco. the citizena treating hia 
preMDoe with supreme indifference* Having no leader to 
orguibe an attack, they felt tho nscles^oss of resietonoa and 
went ftbout thelc daily employment or amusement with 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



mooasuitly " to th« timid and diaboarton^d Pope-ol^t that il 
wftA a sacrils^e to abnndon the Cbair ot Sftint Putj>r to pro- 
f&QAtion, and orgbig bun at all costs to «ntor Roma Sht 
«v&D offered to mATch at thn hctul of her atiuy «di1 plaoo bar* 
•rif at hlti dujKiHid. Tbti verjr Idea, towcvor, of & |ii¥riHn 
atniggLc and couaequoot bLcodehod wa» so rcpojeiuuii bo tit 
mQd Uccidcrias that be fell ill, and, aa the hbtorian aorerd; 
r^tnarkn, " Xhi^l waa for Bomo tica& a prctoxt for his ina^tioa' 

The Uardiaais, wcar^' of tbD conciliatory indueoinc&ti 
which had provod so iuefTdctaal in persnadiDg him to a««pt 
thf> roins of {^o^'ornment, were biscoming reatlewi. Id fihMi 
doBpoiatiun thoy unanimously proposed to adopt moN 
strm^nt means, Actlngincunc^rt they [irepwfd hy rigocoM 
m^asares to secore his compliance with their devirea. ^M 

A few days precwling the fliinivcrettry of Qn-gory'a cJeni^^ 
tliey wrnt in & body to Uie monaHtery aod doiuaudtid an intfv- 
view with the Abbot Dcnderitis was not prool agiunst Hmt 
ai-gumnats. which weresuppldmentedby tlieappealaof Matiid% 
who waa present at the diectiaiion, and "placing bJ iPBeH a> 
route the Pope-elect i^ained Borne by aea." 

On rc&chini^ the Capitol ha fbtuid tho Conntciw was already 
before Lho gati^s* which opened freely to udmit the daocc«*ot 
of Orogoiy. )latilda, fearing resistanco. had ''made heraell 
mi^tresa of the Tiber, she wai at the same lime tha aoal aod 
the arm/' 

Deaiderios finding he could no longer avert the ordaal, 
submitted paodv^rly to be clothed in bin Mured reatinentB- 
But the CdrdiiiaU, fvanng lest he should eacspe, kepi him 
under giuud au a prisoner until i^lt^ day of hie coDeocraLkxL 
He was publicly cixjwLed oo Whit«uu(lay» 2"tUi May ID,^, m 
the castle of St Angelo, his electors chooaing for him the. 
of Victor ni. 

When the ceremony wn^ ccndodod Matild* 
the new PoutitT to toat the general feeJini; o£ tli« ^^*«**** by 
presenting to them tboir rightful aovcreif^ Tho idaft wae 

ate 



bim tbelltia 



J 



Victor III 

readily adopted and immtf<1i&tclir put into oflVct. A reili^ious 
pTOoe«eioti &\ich as had zKt been eeen for yeare in Home, ii^Kiied 
through the gaUs of St Angelo and^eKcorlcd by Matiklh with 
hvt mon-at^arius, bcjldty went forth iiito tbe etr^fji of thn 
Cnpito). Tho Countess was correct in lier iiKLiui&tioa of U>u 
|jfcople*s loyalty to Uic Holy See, Tho whole city Wfto movod 
ntid the i;xt;itc[ucDt was intenae. Urowds jiourcd forth from 
every quarter, all Hocking to pay homage to tbe good old icon 
whofc bolinurtrt of Uiv waa well known to them. Hie fame 
for sanctity and learning hod net bcsn confined to Monto 
OMtiDO^and tho otroots were 6]lod with a kne^lin^maltittidi^ 
who, with 3tr:wiraing oyoe, boeoa^ht his bon^^diction. 

N«wft of the arrival and coronation of the Pontiff had 
reached St Peter's, and Qiiibert, who wa^ oF a tcinacious dib- 
position, was not inclined to retire from hia point of vantage. 
Summoning the soldiers who had been left ond^r bi« oammnnd 
by thn King, he cansed them tu march to the church in whidi 
Victor and tiis friends were aasembled. 

Matilda's hravf! and trusty band were fully prepared for 
thia emergo<acyH With the help of the Itomana they viiliaatly 
resisted the entrance of the foe, "& violent iitmggle ensued 
and blood dowcd/' Dnrin^ the combat the Countess, rc^ard^ 
l«ta of her own danger, never quitted tlie aide of tJio Pontif. 
Her f^ok tbonj*ht was for hia safety, and ordering her 
attendants to clo»e round bis aacred peracn she withdraw 
vith him to th9 cai^e of St Angelo. Relieved from their 
pTVWioua charge, the Tnacans were free to act on their own 
rMponsihiHty^ Fillip with righteous anger at the aacrilcT^ioua 
Gonduot of tbeilr advvrsarivs, tliey threw themselves furiously 
upon tbetn. and not only drt>ve their nntagonista from the 
building but rhJla4^d ihvm through the streets of Rome until 
they rciichcd the nbeltcr irf St Pcter'a. So severe was the 
cbastiaomcnt which the irala Italians intlietod upon the ua- 
fortunabe Qermann thnt they never again ventured beyond 
tbe limits required for their personal jpiard of Guibert- 

The Pontic, thanks to Matilda, reached St Angelo in 

^1 





I 



Matilda^ Couatess of Tuscany 



^iiiy, but hiA mind w&a much pcrburlMd hy vrh^t hiMl uk 
place. To the daoger from vrhich he bod bceo reoeodd b« 
leave but a piwaiD^ ihoQ^ht. but tbo cjonteniplntion of th« 
diffioaltiofi of hie position throatoaQd almost to unhmgt hk 
reaaoti. HU autbority luad throne usurped by the cxcou- 
manidited Biihop of PanDn> hd was Pope but i& naaih 
More and more he felt himself unequal to the t«ak of st«o^ 
lug the bark of St P^Ust m the troubloue semi throu^^h v^hiefa 
it was pa^HkEig. Hi8 heart failed, liis courage could au loogvt 
auatoia bini. Whrn, on ihe fourth dny of htm entry i&lo 
Borne, luB Canliualb sought au auilieoce they found iht 
cbaub«r empty. 

Diveetiog himaolf of hU pcputifieail vestmcDCA. and vtith 
them bis respoosibility, ho had Qougbt by precipdboaa Jligtt 
to ftvoid the difficulties with which ho felt hiinsclE oiuble to 
cope. Uuuoticedty the muLtcipal guards whet little siupeoted 
his personality in th« Benedictine monk who pa&eed Uirough 
the city gates, be waa (quickly lost to view. In booriy 
appreheudou of bein|{ pursued and overtaken by the active 
troups of Matilda^ the fugitive Pope weoded hia way to hig 
Iwlovcd Monte Caasino, 

The mouka, who at first scarcely recogniAAd lu Uio w«ary, 
dejected and kravcUwom figure before them tbe vsnorat^ 
fonu of their Abbot, were Htruck dumb with aatoni-^h 
and bcwiLdcmiont. With awe and terror depicted apon their 
coontenaDces^thoy conducted hiatrembliugatopa tobiaforaer 
apartmeute, and awaitud with fearsome curioeity the narra- 
tiou of events which Jed to hlb eudden appooraaod In their 
oudst. 

Meanwhile, the Cardinals and the Countess, having some- 
what recovered from the Hhock which Vietor'a flight hiHi 
<-jiuaed theni, began to take counsel as fo the niiian* by vhlch 
he cuuld be indaced to return to hia duti««. " They con- 
jectured that there v/aa but gnc hiding-plrtcc to which he waa 
likely to retreat, and there they looked for him," Thdr 
Buneises were eorroct, and in his Abbot** etall, quiotly eayiug 



i 



I 



I 



1 



Farewell 

his otEtc€ iind oblivious of sll savd tm devotlooSi th«y fcuod 
the eueoeaaor of Grotty. 

The baatle caused by th© entrance of the nnwiilojnie 
viaiLura awok<^ him from his eoDteiaplution au^ rutjely 
brought hia tLoughte to things of earth. With n gninii hib 
recogulHfid that he tuust yield to tlits iuevJtablti* au«l after 
Jnvokitig Diviiie ivaeisLanco iu hln extrcmily he nrc&e from 
hifi kcoea. Taming towards the CaidinaLe. he bogged ao 
earD&stly. and in each touching temi», that ho might bo 
aLLovod to romaio for a faw days in the monaatcry, that they 
had not Uio heart to r«faao Lis roqa«Bt. Thoy af;:recd with 
him that a short time Bpc&t in a spiritnal propnraticn for hiK 
new aph«re of life would not be lost for the Church, but 
would considerably dtrengtheu him to act OD bar behalf- 
He aUo desired that he might perpetuate the happiest years 
of hiH life by retaining the title of AM>ot» which fir hwl 
borne fnr Lwnuty-flevcn years. 

The Cardioals. only too happy at having secan^d Vjctor's 
acceptance iif hiei i^outificate, wore willing to promiw an^'* 
thing ho should aek at their hands, and readily complied 
with hia modest demands. At the end of the week he was 
once again attired in the vcatmcote which the prclatoa hod 
brought with them, and which ho roeumed with the ood< 
victien that Hvavcn had cbofton him to bo the unworthy 
fiUeoeoaor of St ?otei. 

Sadly he threw a farewell i^lanoe rou&d the walla of tbe 
Barrow cell where he hod so often held sweet commonion 
with hU Lord, Hia tt^ar-dimmed eyes rested upon tbe 
crucifix, and reruindecl by it cf the leKMon of a<df.nbQegation 
eet by his Divioij Master, be prepared to steady his tottering 
Ht4-])n to enter upon the ftltrn path vt [jublic iIuLy, 

nisiirat trial W4ke the parting interview with the brethren 
who hod grown old with him, and who clun^ about him and 
with sobs lomcntfid bie departure, lie comforted them nith 
the oaeurance that he would still remain th«ir Abbot, and 
that he would retain the title at a eouvanir of the happy 

>6| 



Matilda. Countess of Tuscany 

life he h^ ap«Qt ftmoof^ them. Tho tnooks derived zn«l 
GOQAolMiQn from tho intcn^t vrhich tho Hol^ FaUicr da^ 
plAjed in their welfaro, and daring his short reign Ih^ 
oUctod no ooa to Uko his |>1a««. Thoy fteeompftoiod him Ear 
some distacco, haiij*inf- upon ^v^ry word which fell bom hii 
Mictfj lips, uM ooc« agmin, bnt this Lime -with theinbeolkA 
of r^maiiiLng. he passed OD his rettirD jouroey to IloiDe. CloflClj 
attendeil by the CardiniUH, lu- r^pitind to 8i Angelo, whm 
for some time he wss kept undm' t^trict aurveilt&nee leatbi 
shuulil lig&tD Altriiipt tu tludf? hli elt-cUrr^ 

They d«w1 hayo hfwl no fc»r. Victor w«« now forillidd !« 
be*r with roML^ution th« cnrco of ^venunAni which thi 
divino will dccro^ shonld rc«t apoD hb a^d ahouldcn 
He was resolvod to do all that lay id hie power to proBiok 
the glory aod tho well-being of the Omrch of which h« wn 
callud upon to be tho Head. He deiermioed Dpon the liw 
of oetioti ho intended to pureud, aod wss M\y prepared U 
abide by the oofiH<i(iu«?tic«s. 

Though timid, Victor was not weak, and «ftor otodU 
proved that he was not deficient in pby*ical oourage, and 
when oc^L'Jtsiun dEfUinnflrd it was seen that hr. nniild di^pUyj 
patriotihia tfLjual tn that ot tlio Great CouuteM herself. 

He hftd hardly reeoncilod himnelf to the perFommtioe o{ 
his onerous diitifta when news reacted Home which tliren 
the city into o stnte of the wildc^vt alrum. Thief was no le« 
than a threatened Jnviksion of the Baracens, who were prw 
paring, according to report, to swoop down uptin the Capitol 
in such vaat mnltitudes that resistance would be tmavoiliuj;, 
Feeble n^ longer when the Chnrch wmt in danf^cr and 
required its Head to have a ^m grasp of the helm. Victoi 
took the matter entirely into his own hands. To the 
aatonishnient of everybody, and probably of hitnnelf Also. 
the %-eueruhle PonttOT dispFayec! & uilitary nnlour that wonld 
have done crudit to a younger mau, It^gardloss of the 
prcviicu lA iUo niiti'popc, and of thtf iuj|>ena] forces, bi 
ventured forth, imatteaded by his gtjarda. into th«8t»etaol 

364 



Against the Infidel 



Baniff. With cE'llical eye he mAp«cted tbe mcuis of deftmcc 
which th« city ntTonleil, tuid mndc nuch cxbetLiivc pn3|:«T&- 
tionA to repel Uie invadera that he iDfoscd rtoowod coungre 
into ;bc dcopftiritig uih^bitfuito. 

AwftT^* of the dovotioD of Matildm to (bo Uoij Soo, be 
sent ber timely vommg of Uie atlAck Aud of tbo neoeisi^ 
for prompt B«lioD. Moc^cng^re wore nl^ disp^tchod to tbo 
olbcr StAt«fl to f^ve iDtim&tioa to their rulers of the imp&nd- 
inj; ()aQj*e<r to thc^ir roli^cm And their Hvctc 

With the voice of authority Victor flttmmoned the cobtoe 
r of the city and nilnrs of thp vaHoiik prnvinoru, nnd in ira* 
ptismioiied loned t)rg4*d them to oombtne In &a attack npufi the 
f^FAcena ere they Innded on the Ahonw of Itnly. lie re- 
iDitkdrHl them that if Llie invod^m once gained a foothold it 
would be a difficolt matter to di«lod^o them, and thftt eren if 
tlkcy mcce«ded it wouM be at ^reat loas of lift^ ^nd pTopertjr. 
Bj ineetiQjt them on th^irown [frouiKt ere they had compkted 
the prcpaTAtion* for tbeir project^ onterpri«e it waA probable, 
nay, eortain, concluded the hopuful PoDtilf. thftt the Saraoos* 
woald he atto^thcr dtwiblcd from making the iLltempt^ It 
was impoBflible to hold aloof from an adventure* the very 
boldoou of which wonid, un tli^ Holy Father awuriKl them, 
eEianre their soccees. All Italy was roosed. Attdb and men 
w«re quickly forthcoming, and from Tnwany cupeciall^' 
recruite came ^wnrrtnTii; from mountain paas and fertile vale 
tn ilvfencLf of thi^r fatht^rlartd, 

Matilda's coutin^at, nol a little elated by the ricbory 
ov<fr the imperial fon-os, was well to thn forr. conlidoai of 
ouecess. aud beariof^ Aloft the banoer which the Qreal 
Counter* bad provided, nlthongh wo do not find that she 
accompanied the expedition. 

A^n and again bod the PontilF rcfoacd tb« ofliDn of hb 
friends to drive tbe anti-pope from Rome and to restore the 
Chair of St Peter to its rightful »ov«reign. He had pa^idv^ly 
BQbmilted to the indigrjity of reifying withoint a thrcD* 
rather than roiuie the fiery Italians into shedding the blood 

36S 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

of Uio iiitni4nrv» forlittremembisnHl with fottlinga of piuDthtf 
the QeriD&ns also were children of the Ohnrcb, Bat tk 
Saractuin were the dDemied oF religion and Vactor foli ht ^m 
not octiDg coDlrikry to bi« principlw vhco b» blessed wti 
soot forth hiaaoldiors, io tbo name of UeavAn, to rcowi tli 
inundation of intidots ivhioh threatened to overvtioSi 
Chriettanily by ita iiiLiiieiisity. 

Nor were the Pope'e sanf^me expectations of vietofj 
dtsAppoiiitcd- CroBsing the MedtUrranc^itn, hia army v^ 
flicU'd upon the Saracens " snch a salntary fe^son '* that hx 
yett-ra they did not venture to Approach thn Italian ahatm 
and remained quietly wit.Iiiu their owrr bonDdnriHt, 

In 10S7, 8O0U after dfi.'^patching hid forc«« a^&insl Ihr 
Saracone. Victor left &t Angelo to go on a visit to Benovvola 
Here in his native city. " where almo;^ every otb«r boose S 
built out of tho roiuaiua of Roman aitara. cnoDuiDtiittk 
eoliunn« and bcatne/' he sumtDonod hi.? lit^t and last Oouncit 
Witli a tomcrity of which be acarcoly doomed hinovii 
eapibble he forbade hie Biehops, under pain oC exoommimicatuai 
to accept or give to laymon the inreetiture of any cceUnM- 
tical dignity. He also delivered a solemn addroee to t^ 
faithful, warning them not to receive the sacratnenta at 
Kandb of buretics or eunoni4C& 

Even while giving utterance to the voice of IIm* Chn 
Victor'a reign drew to ite close. The angel of daath holered 
above him, waiting to clcim the Pontiff who, woru with 
jetkrs and continued ill-heftUh. would eoon fall an eoay parcj 
to his icy ^asp. Finding hifi eod was approacbing, he 
bc^t^ hifi friondu bo convey bim to Monte Caasino. wbcr«, in 
th« calm e^olitucje of his cell, he could prcpan bia soul to paat 
into the presence of its Creator, " Beady to die, bo pointod 
cnt to th& favour of the Caidinalt thoitu whom be eet«aiD«d 
worthy to micceed bita." ' 

Hia vrish waa granted, luid bis attenuated form 
carefully carried over the roads by which he hud in bia youth 



IT^ 



Death of Victor 1 1 1 



\ 

joyfully sped to join the bretbr^n among wham he had now 
j^comoto die. He hod juat strength bo regain the friendl)^ 
j^btlter of hia belored [QODaBt.ery when his txgtd frame 
ambed to an attack oE dyeeitt«ry. Never wab piigrim 
wiUing to arrive at the cad of hia journey than woe 
Tiotor bo quit this aoene of strife io which his weary epint 
eould find DO poooo r>r rest. He died tis he wished, among 
his brethren aE;d solaced in bis last hours by their prayers 
And loviDg minietrations, A calm of inetTablv eweetneaa 
stole over him aa the familiar voices of the mcoiWs ehwitjiig 
the |uui]msof the day wero wafted through the cli^iatera to 
tha cell in which ho Uy awaiting the angel of death. As 
4hetouud4i Ciiiiie floating in sweet cadence tu bis Hateniiig 
ears, his lips ported Id a smile and hLs childlike spirit passed 
(rom the rca«b of earthly tnneic to the full b^ruiony of the 
cehet'isl choir, 

** Di^tiaguished for the sanctity of bin life and the glory 
of his virtues," Victor's dt^aib ended a short but brillioDt 
pontificate of liftecn months, of which he had worn the tiara 
«arc©ly four. '* Monte Caesino," somewhat trev«n>ly com- 
meutd A critic, '* lost in turn a piooii Abbot, the Church did 
not loHe n Pope, it was thi? hour to And on©" 

FoUowiog the example of hi* prodi^ewior, Victor did not, 
even when elevated to the Papal Chair, abandon the daily 
devotion of some bonra to literary work. He loft behind him, 
Aft proofs of hia iuduatry, several boots of dialogues upon the 
natraclea of Bi Benedict, and historiee of other celebrated 
inmatee of the monastery. 

By no one wa« the late Pontiff more truly mourned than 
by the Countess of Tuscany, Ills gostkneee and timidity 
«ppc«lod bo the chivalrous spint of thU descendant of a line 
of warriors whose inherent piety reoognieed and scknow* 
l«dg*d the BamtHnu«a for whicb he was celebrated. On 
bearing that he had passed to his eternal reward. Matilt^ 
kent courier after c<>uriur to warn the Cardinals of Uie danger 
of delay in their oboice of a successor. She feared h.iot the 

1*7 



J 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

aali-pope wotild profit by tho death of tbc Pontiff 
BOBU» public flbot of ftuthoriiy ^vt rise to noriona coupticttifl 
in lh« elooticn to tho Pftpfti Throno. She Qinv^yttiiiid 
tlMDi DOi to holU their Counetl within thv citj. And BDfXNM 
t^t they BhoDtd me^t in th« city of Torractna in the Bcm 
proviD^. Wc do net l«vn whether the Coiuit^ss wm pnM 
&t the conolav^, which wm tiiuLnimomi in its desir« to M 
ibo winh of On^gory hy the election of hiii o«mit>«^ 

The Papal TliroDo, so king occupti^d by PonttiTM of Oena 
or IIaIjiui ntLiionatity, wafi now to h« £i1Iod, for the Mca 
Uiue iu tb« iuihaIb of the Church, by m Vr^tkchmma. TUi&« 
Otto do ChntUloa, the roodt brilliant of the «sunM)t miitik 
who h&d received their tuition from St Bnino, th« fonsdiri 
iho Carthufnim Order. 

He woe fir«t ftppointod Canon of tho Hctropoliii 
C&thodr&l of Rhcime, of which city h« raboeqaently been 
an^-d^flcon. Like hiw pr«dece«ora in the Chair of St Pw 
be preferred monastic to public lifo. He early retired (ot 
Benedictine roonafitery itt Clany, whore for cbe timl 
ei^hl yeara prf>Cf>diag his rlnction he hurl boen Abb 
Gregory, who hM him !u niut^h esteem and '*r<->po«oi) u 
limttai! confidence in his wiitdtmi/' had ciuiind liim Btsh 
of Ostia, mid sent hiro an au vmliuasy t.o ti^e G«rinan cod 
Heury treated the envoy as he wotiM have treal«j t 
FontilT himmlf had hfi been afforded an opporiniiity. I 
presenting Mcnself ftt tho palace with hu oxdcntiflh t 
l^abc W&5 immediately arrested and convcyod to pria 
where, until his iiborattoo, every imnilt and indi^iij v 
heaped upon him aa tbo representative of ;bo Holy FAther. 

Otto, who is dt^cribed ad n man of remarkable eoer 
and declaion of [character, clfered in every instance a eiiikj 
contract to his prt^deeeuitor- '*HU courtly and prJn» 
bearing" rendered him popular with nil claMna of aodei 
and in j$pitA of tiiB protmljilioiia to the coutivy bo « 
chosen W Pope by the iiDaniDLOTis voiw of Uic Cardiniila. 

With a more r^tsAy compliance witJi the desiroii 

363 




Urban 11 

electors than tbe late Pontiff hfid dieplaye'l. Otto took le&ve 
of the Frencli moQarcb, and, followed hj the cordial |jood 
wlBhes of hU oonntrymen. rep&ired to Rome. 

He wiLSpubllclycrowiir-d on IStU Mardi 108S, tulcmgwthiH 
uameBak^ and model Pope Urbflia L. who wa* martyred early 
ID the third century. 

With the celerity of ftctioD pcculiftr to hid nation. Urban, 
immediately on his coronation, convoked fi Council- In 
emphatic tenee ho renewed tho anathemas pronounced by 
Oref^ory n.^iQet tbo auti-popt?, the King and his partizone. 
" But," remarks the historian, " if Guibert was not raade for 
Pope, be was nmdd for CommnQder." In the natoe of the 
King be called upon Lombardy and thoee States friendly to 
Ot^rmany to nid him with men (md money. Sending out his 
merconarjes in all direcbiooe, "ho micceeded in agibatiDg 
TilHminy in order to profit by the diverniiJU.'* 

Aware of the sacriticee which Matilda had made Cor tbc 
Holy See, Urban sont &n envoy to acijUAint her with liis 
iLGcesaion and to warn hi^r of the proposed attack upon her 
territories. He marked hiB appreciation of her brilliant 
ojcample by special aeeurancee o£ hia oeteom aDd friendship. 
In a letter written with bis own hand he dedored hia 
intention of following Gregory's footet«pa and of adherioj; 
to hia poliey of upholding the claiHJS of the Chnrcb, "What 
he rejected/* continued the Pontiff, "I reject; what h« 
oaudemned, I condainn ; what ha loved, I love also/* 



>69 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



CHAPTER xu 



'* For ilk* vu ridk u»d gKTt apftll 
To break the tro& butdi 
Of tboM «ha valtiv] b lierhAll 
And Ubourad in Lar UadjL 
II iv thcLr pnijcvn vlikh ncTcr 
Timt thilus ber witli luch gnm : 
lliour bJcMtng i» th^Jigbt cf poooo 
Hut ■hlncB apon W bcv.** 

T3t mJUiting, AS he h&d ^asured MatilJo, the policy of 
OrtTfTory, Urban liod ftlsu omulaUd Uih uiagiiaiLimtLv. 
Scarcely hocl the new FontiB' hetea crowned th&a he netiL 
Ai>Oi3Lolic Car^venees to hia couubrymaji, Uie aged 
gnnas, who hrul bcf^n oxcotrmunicated for denying the 
Preeeaoc and wbo now lay at tho point of death. After 
leading a " miaor^ble and do^pi6od life," the Bishop, who was 
TDoro than eighty year^ old, had begged for ih-i fourth and 
laet time pertnisiHiou to abjare. TTrban, without he sitflktiCD* 
granted his request and aent him meesages of pardott and 
reconciliation with the CliTirch, On the feast of the 
Spiphauy the penitent died, with hia la^t breath Jeplorinir 
the errors wblcli be haO promulgated. "To-day," said he, in 
a contrite voice, "being the day of Hia manifestation, my 
Lord Jesus Chriat will appear to me, either, as I hope, to raias 
zne to glory for my repentance, or, &a I fear, to punUh nie for 
tho herL'sy which 1 have boon inaimmental in epreadij^g.'' 
The Beeda of disbelief which he hod so freely scattered during 
thirty y^ara were unfoptiauately beyond recall and abused 
"Urban and hia successors many an hour of sorrow ond 
anxiety. The pernicJoxu weeds grew and Nourished and 



Urban's DifKcultics 



06iit iheiT filirous rcnta dwy mto the iniudfl of Mi>-rA)1ed 
" TAtional '' Cbristians, who. like 8t Thomu, require material 
proof ere they b«Hev«. " We have but f^th." aingft the 
ttwcct poob of our oWD dayn, "vrc cftunot know, for koovr- 
ledp> ia oC things vr« eee." Thtxt bavo existed i& all ocm 
tnon who have foilod to grawp the truth that where reason 
on-Ja fajth bcgiufl, and it ia those fooblo CbriHtiaiw who, 
atmnbliti<; along tho un«voa road of doubt> fail an easy pr^J 
to hereeitia. 

Tho coumgo find yuml with which Urban oDttrod upon 
his reign stood him in ^^ood stiwi, and were from the eom- 
iii«n^<?[Ti"iit utibji'ct Ui II i^rolongcd «inJ severe teat Uiat ended 
ou\y witli his life. Besides tlko rradicAtioii of the erroni of 
BarcDgariuti, Uio Popt; had other troubles to contend with, 
wad his tAflk of overcoming the com plications in which the 
a^rs of tho pODtifcato ra^xt involved aecmed tUmoal hope- 
loea Uiflcords within tho Church and oncjniea without 
l)inderc<i hit platin of reform iind udded to the intricacy and 
tho va«tDefi& of tho di&cultios which surroun^lod hiB throno* 
Tbo simoBiaciA, auder Guibert* openly tradickod in living 
and boasted of their power, and it wan not mere t^caslinf;, 
for history assured ua that in Germany there wero hut four 
BinhcipN, " thorn of Wurtxbcrg. Pun^iau, Wtimiii and Constanodr 
who were without taint." Thf; Nidiolaite«, who wera sup- 
porUd by Henry, hrouglit »liaiDO and dingtaco upon tlie 
aacied oifices they held i^ad "schisms and heresy wer^ rifet." 
Urban, in spite of hia natural buoyancy of tompcramcot aud 
bis ability to maintain the authority of the Church, bcj^n to 
get diacourag^ed. Ue |i;rcw to mietruat hia own pcwcn ai>d 
longod in his ecu] f;>r liomo abl« counsi^llcr who oould 
aesbthim at the helm. Such a man he found in hia lat« 
preceptor, the saiuLly founder of the Carthui;ian4. Bruno wae 
unwillingly compelled, at the command of the Pope, to laavQ 
hia cell in the dc^rt of ChartreuRe to enter npon Court life 
and to become a prey to all tlie meotAl worrlea of a privy 
Goundllor. The holy hermit wnsi. on his arrival in Rom«, 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany^ 

WOtooDMil wlUi '* every lovifiiuibla token ol esteem and 
affoetioo* Hv wm ovignod ui aputcnefit In Uie pftUcc Ih^i 
be iai|;hl b« uenr <bt b&nd wh«n hU optoioQ w«8 desired oa 
wcii^ty &tTnin of religion uid oonadeooe." Bat Uio mook'A 
Uiou^htfl wonj far ^vrt^y, Mid Uiovgb h* avwUd bis fomcr 
pnpi) Ui tbe beat of bU Ability, it woa evidoot that bo nc 
very unhappy in hif^ own taiini. The rontiff, ftwan of the 
phvil^^oa Bruno wouJd ^ojoy in UatiidA'a aiutimaftt«, oflbn<i 
liioi ihv 8«« of Roggi<>» bui tlio hermit begged so eameetly to 
be excnaed from AccBptin^; the prefernim]t thAt Urb«n re- 
LnctAntly yitthW thn [KtitiL In hU drHpair of ivtjiining eanh 
miwillbig Mt-njcife, Uie rontifT. Uf Druno*a joy, gave btiti pe^ 
misMon to rHiro to bin linjgud-fur solitude, ouil hciKvforib 
ralod alone. 

in A Cuuiici] b«td at AcuoJG in 103U, the yuArfollowB^ 
Urbau'a acceuion, the qucetiom^ rolt^tivo to lay invodtUuns 
irtn dtaonssod, thv atfttut<ie iatvcd agum^t them by fotratt 
PopM were ooaflrmed,and fr^h and moro n^roiu lavrs vere 
onactcd for tho snppreeeion of iluj pmctieop 

At ih9 Batne OoimciK ITrbao, mindful of the voJuaUo 
sarvicds Tendered to the Pontirts by the fruiscftrd f&miJyT 
performed on their behalf & gr&«ionB act of public adcnovr* 
ledgmenc. TL** mi(>r.f^fuiiir of the brave ll*>lHirt, who hod 
Eiroved IiiinseK hu ffutliful in dufetive L>f the tliroue. vru«,ui 
the preeence of the Aaftumbly, with due cnrcinoai&l, forniaUy 
«ndowud wiUi the Duchioa of ApuUa and OaUbiia, 

While tbe Pope rttiA carrying out tho plans of hifl pre- 
docccecrs for the independence and snprctnacy of the Iloly 
See. atfaire in Tuscany wero tAcding towardn civil and 
religious ptogrofta. 

Matilda's repeated stays ia Hom<f during the pontidoato 
of Victor L&d interrupted her plans for the reparation of the 
damage occasioned by the caUmitous wars which prec&dcd 
the death of Gregory, and which fi»d swept like a whirlwiod 
ovvr th43 trtce. of Italy. Tbe etaissarias of Henry, encouraged 
by the onti-popo, had profited by her prolonged ahsences 

373 




Matilda's Beneficent Schemes 



and distreaa ber eubjecte and to diNor|ratiifK her govoru- 
DMat. But tho groBt Counters w&s not diflheart^u^fd by tbis 
l«mporary okdck to her schemee for the sdvnncement of hi^r 
people, whow w«]fAn> ever Ielv near her hciLrt. " Wbat ia 
muftrkitbU in the life of tbat heroine/' rem Arks her 
biugrnphcr. "ih ihut evftn in Lhe miilHt nf iltr tnrrjuuiai 
abru^lv- with tlie BmptTe. in the nio»i critical mcmientti, aUc 
aevur lo^i night of ihv, works eLc intcmJcrtl to execute," 

IinmftdiatiOy on her return to Tnacany nhe njado an 
«xhauetivcsurvcyoEhermar^nia4.te,nti(I while bcrcyxvfcaAte^ 
upon its hoauty of outline and colonr, her biiay brain pro- 
jeoUd iticaA for the well-being of hornubjeclA. The: n^ cultural 
diatneto h^td recovered from their depreBsiou aud were 
ftlnady on tho hi^b road to prosperity, but in tbo citios and 
tovns she found many whom the war had redxioed to tb^d 
dirofit fitraiUi of p^vi^rty. 

MattlJa coi&preh«nded at a glance the need of giving 
4tmploym(int to ilm aUc-bcidicd workm^'ti at^d nkilltKl artiunf, 
and by tliis means rBlitrvini; the wanU of their familiaa. The 
OiirnuknH hjvl mailc hiuI hav^ic at thn publio and privat'f mUHi»«, 
and not a f«w of Uie (owpa wer« almwb in roina. TbeCountesa 
w«0tod DO time in vain lamcnUtion, but on^ag<>d the aerTicea 
of thd inliabildnU ill repairing the miHcbivr Hliv gloddoncd 
(be hearts of \h<i people by hcr«clf ftupcrintondinj; tbe ro- 
building of their bomOH, and with liberal hand tihc dofray^ 
all the cost of labour and maUrjaL " At hor bidding caMet 
luid luUocoa, oonvo&ta and oathedrala, utatucE ai»i public 
moDnmeniB, aroRc throtijfbout I'uceany^" ^ 

Ma1il<la*ii toui woh purfonoed on hordobikck, and during 
her long and wearisomo jonmeys she was mode palnfally 
aware of thi> hiudrance to trade oAfwl by thv tuM*«n 
BOrfaee of the unmrLdp niads. With her CDJttoinary protDpi- 
ntm* thn cuupwd gfUi^n of mvn tu he net U> work to nrpair not 
only the principal routes but also toopen out freah commoni- 
eatioEi with tho more reiuuto porLiof iheprovinccrv Sncli an 
* En^ OH totoi'mrtwif B^a^rvpkif. Rif ht Wkl Hit Juum SUplua. 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

«xteiiav« work g4vo o«ea|Mtioii to a s^ai mAny of her ini' 
pov«H«hcd |><K>p1e, wboM Uboun WAh> <iuick«nod luid Ughtcti^ 
by h«r Lib&rftliby and a[>]>re&iatioa. 

Iq ndtlitjou to tli«a« roitorfttionfi kd^ imjirovomi^U 
Matilctft had in view yet more stupendous andertAkingb — 
midrrtitkirtgii uf wbicli a frnijilr mind roiilit hardly hkvn Itoen 
dveuied ett[>able. AiuoD^t th^ae woa the conatruction of Bolid 
faridgcw U> KpBUi bli<! Arao eukI other tiiip<irb&iil riverB npOD 
If hjcli tier citioa weT« boUL She lieraelf directed, with eriticil 
fty«. tbc mcvomonta of the oporativcii engaged iti this bcnctidiJ 
•oheEoe for the tixteuaion of Iradi-. HcTcukim, indeed. wa« 
the taak in those daje \FhcD mcchftuics iLod cs^nccrio^ 
yfcTG but little tmderatood, and whca ther« wore no bydnulie 
ai^lioccaa hy which to lift into position tho hage toiu^soBof 
piiC ffif y. 

Freely the Qreat Coanteeti dovoted her wealth and ODergiai 
to furtlif^riiij; tbeae and ainiilar projects for the eatahliahmenl 
of local iDdoBtnej^ wbicti the late wars had destroyed or 
intdTTUpted. Nor did nhe, in h<^T anxioni solicitude for lt« 
fibJLQctal pmgn^MA of her subjects, uegttict to provide for their 
siiiriteal itrid socinl welfart^. By tbe aid uf her rtchce 
cathoflrals and charchf^ raiAod Uieii' stately headtt towards (ha 
blue cauopy of hcavea as if to implore bIeBS4iig& oo ibeir 
g«uerL>Ufi benefactor. Monasterlee were butlL and endowed 
within which were gathered Dot onlymonka and ncholara but 
also those whose physica] iuErniitiea or age prevented them 
^m gaming a livelihood* and whose friends could not maiQ' 
taiii them. In those days of eathohcity, though men war« 
cireleee of life and limb, poverty was not re^i^ded as orimiuftl. 
and there yet dwelt within theu the Gpirit of chanty whi^h 
led them to feed even the moat nndeaerving poor. There wer« 
no degradatioDG or labour teste impofied upon the appHeantd 
for relief, who regarded religieus iustitutioiiH a^ havens of ree£ 
where food and fiheller were never withheld. Matilda rvcijg* 
nised the value of thene asylums, and her gBoeroua auppuct 
and frequent vltiits caused to ascend ou high thai moal 

a?4 




Restorations and Improvements 

:ioD8 of Afl pmy^rn — tho thftoks of the gratefnl 

The difficuitiee of equoetrian trflvollin^f id Tuttcaay had 
been conaidcrnbly Icucnod by the labour devoted to the rocon- 
structiouol the ro^ds. and the (jircatCouDtesfiHmh«rjoQnie3rft 
through her oxtBucivc territory, h&d rCMitwa to con grata I Ato 
bdndlf OD the success of Iho work. Sbo was qow enabled, with 
!•■■ Catigco and oxpendituro of timer, to comu within oaey 
nuh cf tho moot distant parts of h«r p&trimony ftod to ttt 
tor boTMlf the couditiou of h«r people. With t«nd€r 
•olieitude ihe allowed herself, during theae tours, to be 
«e««nible to all, both high tu\d low, and none werp excluded 
fnaa speech with her MatlTda'a greal^t dexitv wn^ to be 
TOgarded as their protector, And her Kympathctic mind 
«nabl»il her to enter into the nalore of iho trlaln ajid roin' 
torluiitn by wbich they were nffiicied. TLiri p<.'r&oiLaI euut'ict, 
of ibe irrtmcnec taIui? cf whidi nhc waA fully Jtworc, liroughi 
ber an intimate knowJed^^o of their real and preeainft Dc«ds, 
which her true and Jovinjc haart pittod and relieved. 

Tho oivil authority of tbe Great Counteeti was unlimitc»d 
and ^ve her th<» tight of judgiuf; And condentntng her 
nubjecU without reserve or appeal. In the hands of an 
unscmpuloos rtalor thig power might, and often iHd.in that 
rudu age degenemte into tjFranny. It was therefore forU)Dal« 
for the TflriCArM that llNiveD had hTtrased them with a priiic«S8 
rrmarkablf! uliktf for tlie fidelity and talent with wltieh nho 
faUilled ber tmal Her tntimocy with tlicir affairs ajid her 
km^wlodge of jurlaprudeace enabled her to perform her office 
witti tin^lar discrimiaatioa and tboroughnesv^ When abe 
made a at^ty at one or other of har palacee it ■became for the 
CiaM bung a vcritabJo court of appeal for thcnc, and they were 
TQftny, who considered thetueelvee nnjufitly treated. But woo 
to thoao who had ground down the poor or defrauded the 
hoJpleM i for ihoau Matilda had no mercy. The spirit of her 
^reo awoke within ber at the leoKl uign of injnstfoe, and her 
aoDteocen, delivered with withering glauew of oonteiDpt» wor« 





Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 

MVtn, And ftJflo dotcoroDt id tbeir cHoct ti|>OD |]Ddotoct«4 

The ddvotioD of tho Great CodnUM Co hor p«opl«i 
intnttfta vu tnlly respotKled to ^' iheir enthasIaAtic Htia^- 
mmt to her p>>rHon, Her iip|i«iuiificm wiu mvHriabiy 1^ 
ri|^kal for demcD^trabioDfl of joy, minglod nith tJie fervtot 
pnjrttB of thoM whom her boimty had roticv«<l or her jtutioe 
ddiTcrod from opproaxioD. 

Id ociorM of yoora the iD&rqai5ato, ondGr ber «Edi(;hi«iii 
goyoromont, rofle to an ominoiiov of nchoti aad prooporitfj 
vliieh pOTvul«d all oluew of sociftty» and which mado it tbt 
cynottPr^ of a11 the DoJghboarisg prmc^s. Nor did thoy d^n 
atteiDpi to wr«At from hsr by forcQ the poseesaiotia whidi] 
were withir rt^wih of their envetuUR gT'osp, Her long and 
atmtt^Jc htru^^l^n with Gerrnnny, and her brilliant Yietorj 
over tho impcrifbl army, hnd maile Jier a power to be raiip«i 
m thti lanii Her heroic and siiccoMful defence of her turnUrr^ 
ID tho»c days, when it was diflicuU even For a m&iled liand to 
guard ita own, and '* her 6rm £TA^ of the roinn of ^vemmeni^ 
won from the other Tnonatchfl of tht? West the outwan! 
bomagc and the real (loforence reaorvod for 
|>otcDtatca" 

Matilda'fi principal oliiinas t^ admiration reeled not aH^ 
gethor on her pntri^tiam luid vnlonr, IrilLinnt traitd thoogL 
they w^re. It waa her stainlesa parity and her largottoesof 
9011] which were the magnets by which sb« attracted al) thai 
waa noble and worthy. Nor waa ber fame condned lo Italy. 
Qlowitig acconnte of ber beruity, ber munif cence, the depi 
and variety uf ber learuing and her blamdeas life, had been] 
sung by the minstreJB id ovory Court of T^urcipe. 

Whrbhar the death of Gregory awoke within tbo breast 
of the King some latent feelings of remorse, or whether th^i 
iutermittoat iosuncctiona of hia sobjocts engroeaed hia 
attention to the excinBion of otbor mattera, t& not known. 
Whatever tho r<«&on may htivo been, it is certain that, io 
the relief of the Italians, ho ceased to interfere with their 

27& 



sovereign 



Home at Canossa 



Alfaire, and j^to do indtcAtJoas 6f afj^aiD entering upon th« 
wor-paLh. 

DoQuo, the fftiihfu) GlironieI<»r of each pbase rf M&tilda'fl 
tiintory, commenU with joyTuI pen upon the welcome (act 
tiiitl (loriu^ Llii- finjr yi^itrH urlncb hiul rJapHed sincv bei 
midnight ropu 180 oF tho ticruiaofi aha had uigoycd a rcopite 
(roiD HoDry'fl licMitility. The pU^nun which brul cloudtxl bcr 
horijjon ihapcra>:d and were auccecdod by & pcnc<l of com- 
|>arftbiva tranquiUiby- The licAtha of tiregory and of Bi^op 
AnJK:lnt, the frJcnda of her chlldbood. atrnck a deep blow 
M Matilda's attVctiou^ Ucr et/riMW mode h^r ovcu mere 
tender of others than ehe bad bitlierto been* and ahe foosd 
eonifort m Hei^king out the widows ^ind oqihaim wbo had 
Ipven tboir bre>ad' winners to thu catise of the OhaTxrh, Like 
certain planU which, when crusLod, yield a sweet perfume* 
so misfcrtune hrought into stronger relief tb? iinBelfishneee 
which was ocd of tor chiwf chjinu!t«ri«ticfL Hor grief b«- 
eaiu« tempered by time, and in promoting tlie apEritiukl and 
materifl-l prosperity of ber people sh« reRlieed the secret of 
ime nud Uatjji^ happiuaw, ihM> "no uuui Uveth unto 
himself," 

Although Fihe did not leave her paJacn in Luccm Florence 
4Ad other dtice entirely decerted, bnt reoidod in Umdi at 
TarioLia ictcrrala, it wa^ on Uw CaAUe of Onoaaft t4ut her 
«ffictionB wore centred. U wm the birthplaco of her father 
and grandsires, and there she bcnclf first opened her cyee 
to the beiantiful world around bcr. With many a lender 
recollection of fricnda now paaud from cutk idie mode the 
ttfftle her home. 

Never. ovL'n in Cliu daya of Boniface tho Magnificent, b^d 
the citadel contained eo mocb of courtly refinement, of art 
and cnlturi?. %m waa ikiw juueniblntl witbiu ttn waUe. With 
aeruii^ and serious air, t<oa>pcrQd by a |-i«ci<>iui Bweetnens the 
OreAt Conntoea welcomcid U> her Cotirt aJI wbo w«re dbe< 
tinguL-dud fur l«amin^ ftnd rirtue. Here m«t Lbt? fastJdiooH 
and ele^autly-drceeod Bodmo bqUov. brnve tcnlgbhn and 

a;7 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

aquirai, puiiUini, pouU aiic! muiuciaDB,4ad with thecQ mingled 
Uio black-robed Beuedlcim^a wid weuUr cki^y on their w*j 
to or from tho EtomaJ City, No matter bow obeeuro tb) 
birth or how d«od«r tbd purne cf her |fQ06to, aU were ^nn of 
a tcuidly reception ftnd « h«lpbg hand " if tlioy hod uif 
pr«Wti«ioru« to Ut«ir«tar0 or Art.** 

Matild&'a Acienlifie pUT«uiU, vrbtcb bftd b««n intormpUd 
by U)R vmrs nnd th« nnwtllpid pi-ririrt of Victor'H jwimiifwiiW, 
were now ri-HUitif^l, mhI tlw c^ulk'ftiDn of rare MSS- whicb 
nbe Wl nmnsni^d duritiff h«r fnathi>r> lifntimr nveivod juAUf 
valuftLle wlditlcmx Undi r hnr dtn^ctatJiLfi copiee were utadt 
in writing iKib only of tlid cJaAsic&l aathom cf Greece aad 
Bome, but aUo of thf: FToly Scriptures whose iospired wonJ« 
woro ciquisitely ilium iu&ted ejxd euboUiahod by the meat 
skilful artrifiU of the dny. 

Nor wcro her »tudi<« more ornuincuta) or saporfioial 
ftOquiran^nU. Their varioty and depth wonld, eren in tbii 
ftge» httre rendered hor name illuntriouH, &Qd tbetr profoond- 
neM would hjive given her a high plac« id the world of 
tit«ratare. ConteniponiHes tE*1l ufl that her ^ctqaaiiitance 
with forreign IftugitAges eriAhleJ her to ronversi? with e(|Oiil 
eftae m 0«riiimi, French or tlie pot^tic Proveui;ai1 wltJt lUe 
knights, who freqacntod her Court. *' To priesto nnd echotoTB 
ahe apoke In the [angu&ge of ancient Bome," proudly retuarks 
the faithful recording peii of Donizo.' 

"The lUbUann/' wc are told, "were early in the field of 
mrDiicm hti^uiry" into the pricciplos of Political Economy, 
and Matil'la'0 kj^owlcdgt? uf this Hoicnccb, which Eiho dcriTcd 
from a «tudyof Plato and hie pupil, Aristotle, wae of reu^ark- 

^ " Iteaponflum cunotiik l^cixi lii^i aias inuriDiirt turhtS 
IX'-tc hilikTLJfl jauijh'i' rtojt^ jitliLriclft 4tjDquu inrnlo. 
HiEC ipicu dictjit, Hcit Thoutonicom oano liiigiian ; 
Uwt! IJan^obaniOii mitrit ra^t et footl tkltotu 

EfnlJcw oa pnuul studJouor inveoietiiT 

LibroM ex ouaotta ha.iml ojtib^in Atque tigurk.^ 
lifmay History a/ the MiddU A</mj hj J, Bcrringloo, IWft 
a73 



Literary Acquiremcuts 

able extent Ite prAOtko not only matoriaUy oasifitod her in 
the gov cm moat of hor marfjuisato, but "also enftbled h«r to 
provitic AD answer to the moat untutc quostions propounded 
by the most ncrioun portioo of h«r fpiests." 

Ere deiith had deprived her of the coansel of Antclm, the 
OonnUuin \iiu). ainlrr hi* Jirrdionj entered upon the *tody of 
jitri^prudeiioe, &tl^ with biH luutiutanoe tthf! proparod a eo(]« 
of lawa " for the revision of which she enLiated the Bervicc 
of A jiirinL" At h«r d^ire the Buhop himiwlf rJiinpTU<d for 
her oAe "& collation of the cauoo law" and after bia death 
ahecoDtinuedberroAdarchcn into Uiin coiDparativoly UD known 
branch oE learniDg, *"Hhii realised fully th« importance of 
liAving good lawa aa the bottici of aound govcnimeni, and 
•o&ght in their firm ndminietration a remedy for Uiu die- 
troctjon of her eountry. Under the guidanoo of able tutors 
ehfi threw horaolf with fiucb seat into hor work that nhe 
beoaino no moan authority io the interpretatioD and ap^ 
plication of Eonun or civil law." 

[n addition to her ordinary corT<«pondenoe she herself, 
irithont the auiuUiuct uf hvr chapluiu, the pout Donuo 
vrot« letters to the variou4 ['ontifTs dtirJng whoae reign ^le 
livpc), ITnlike th« hIioH, wjucind ipihtlt^?* of mndi*ni dnys, 
theee were leiiglhy and Laborioua i»i]i|xiHiitonB, wrJtteu in a 
eomewhat vurboac and pooderotut atyle, iovolring a tborotigh 
Icnowledge of Latin, in which toDgu«f thty wtn? JnrariaHy 
written. Only n few of her Jettcrs have been picACTvoJ, and 
eo woven id the life of " The Great Conntow" with trwiition 
that ibe authontioity even of tiioM hai eocnctimca been 
doubted* The ooEom^noenent of some ol th«4e cfMntloe* 
however, scarcely vario«, and ia too «on«steat with her 
fmanl cxproBuon of independcDoe not to be ol her own 
oomposition : — " Matilda, such aa she is by the givse of God, 
if «ho i» anything, to all the faithful, greMog," 

" La j^raodo ComtenNa " carried the weight of ber forty* 
lour ycwni with a dignity and grace which toany a younger 
woDUin might well hav«» enviwl. Time and tnmble, which 

>T9 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

would bftvo •gpd inc«t of h«r »tx. bftd but addod a aoftiun 
■iprtninn whtcti diiirmed anO fuciuibted all who n 

IMT. 

With nil Uio 4dvft.Qtag«A wo have «ni]ninmt«*<l, jwroin- 
panied by tm ^^R^gin^ nuLnrnr Mirl nrnuirkifrbltt iKuubjr o( 
tiBtorn and |iorjioii, it in IiArdly Ui Im «oad«red at th^tshc 
bid rtttny suitors, tier hoiiii w«a ntgAri]e>il izi the Eunipcan 
oonrlii Ml a desirable princ* for which there wore maji/ cftgec 
COf&lMlttora Matilda ivas, however, too much engaged In 
gOTeraiog bcr rc«tlc«o imbjectti and in yarding hor norUieni 
bouadary against intnidon U> givo any conAidcration to nut 
a partly porvonid mi^u^r. 

Among tbo namorooe ae|)irants for the homoor of gaining 
hcT approbation was Robert, the aon of William th« 
CQeifiucror. On succecfling his fjiAher nft Duke of Nonnaody 
he bad travelled to 'L^iucany, anil as a piwHtblfT meanit ai 
retrieving hiB fnrttin&<4 o^t^red Ui lunrry thu Cfiuntcn 
lJnfortiin»Lely for Kobt^rt tlie report** of hif» wild^ nil' 
disciplioed oaturo bad prifcfid^ him and gained nothing to 
his ailTnntagc by the ofb-repentcd [larrAtiive of hia exploita 
Btqd if Matilda found I«iflure and iDcIination to indulge in 
mabrimonial dreams, the Tery mention of biB name would 
quickJy have dissipated them. 

But *' La ^p-ondo Comtoefia" woe about to ontor isto 
marriage soonor than shti intended or ovdo contemplated. 

Urban, aware of the sacnfiee she had made for the Chure 
in hor youth, believed the time was come whon she gbould b* 
Galled upon to renounce her personal fceliuga to further the 
int^resU of the Holy See. He concluded that it was deeii^ 
able, even for her own safctyj that she hhould form an 
alliance vrith a prince who, in tfje unsettled couditinn of Italy, 
ehoald be sufficiently powerfai U> delend the prop^^rty of his 
wife and ttiat of bbe Ghun^b also. At this period of bietorj 
Europe was ^itated by the spirit of unroet^ and the claeh of 
arms deadened the car alike to charity and tht> ploJis of the 
impoveriehod pea«a.ntry. In Ucrmany, the Savons, redo 



HI 

i 



L 





Matilda Again a Wife 



a1m(»aL to Hlavery by their crowned ^luflpot, made a fltt'luly mid 
c^lltimJ(ll]^ rrj^iwtrtnco to llt^nry's tyranny* and the trnpirc 
w&n Xhfr Lheatic of a cruel Aud cjdL&UAtivc wiir. Nor vett 
ftfikira roQch Wtt«r in EnglaDd. William II. h&d succeeded 
to tlio throne by the will of hin father, arid wzin engaged id 
unnntitrcbl contest with hm brothcra for iia possession. 
Lunfronc, the learned Archbishop of Cjuitcrbnry, who survircd 
the Con^^Qcror two yoiu-a, had pasecd to his rest^ and the 
revenncfl of hia See were appropriated by the King to his 
own ase^ Evcrywhore personal prowess and brutal force 
ptYivailed and engu^ed the attention of society to th^ utter 
oxciusion of augbt that would eDli^bten iu mind or reform 
itn morala Far from theae scenes of strife, of wliich th« 
nnikours r«acli4<d her oa thd Kulleu roar of distant seas, 
Mjitiida ''pursued the even tenor of her way/' and in her 
palHcv'n nitrlared intn luatunty tim fine &rtii which have 
remdered her country famous. While other ruleni were 
struggling to eecnro the porrnancnGy of thoir authority and 
were crualiiLg their subjircU into aervilc submission, in 
Tnsc«kny there wiva one, and that one a womikn, who, in the 
rare intervals of peace whicli hor perftietcnl enemy allowed 
her to enjoy, dovotod horsolL' to thu pnreuit of Icaminf^, 

Matilda* whilst duly admitting; the wisdom of the plan 
projected by the Pontif)", was so entirely hciirt-fn^(' thitt it 
waa jmpoasible for her to make a choicd. Her po«ittoo 
among the other rnlers of Italy wajt peculiar. Hi;r»wx, her 
riclkee and h^r learning sened to iwdrite her from their com. 
piinionHhip, while hct jtcknuwludgiid supremaey miwd her 
prv-eiuiutmtly ftbove LUeir lufiuenco. 

At htrT TV!i]n'\tit Tliban hinitwlf came to the rcncrnc and 
au^gosUid an u bu&band au obodi^'nt aon of the Churdi who 
was fully compctoot to fultil the conditions which his 
aiartiAge with Matilda required. 

'HiiB was Wolf, son of the reigning Duke of BaTaHik, who 
wan oooaidercd to be one of the haudaom<^t and viovt 
ehivalrou^ princes of the ago. The young koif^t had 

1^1 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



^ 



ftlmkdy won bin npunt tuid gAicod trwuiijil Fjime in bhr £«H 
«a tbe luttJer of tJic Saxon revolt ogAmPt tUo tyranny of tbs 
QcmMO Ktaf. " Thus/' calcaJatod tho Pontiff, in his wisdoco, 
* bo the indomitttbto oourftgne of the no1>!o Count^MW And to AJl 
tiM nwmroM of hor rich cooDtrj woold be united the troop* 
onder the yoaug Duke of B«bTana. The union would rcadt 
in a cotnbinatioD too foriaidablo for either Emporor or Alibi' 
fope to witb«Uiid or cvorthrow," 

It niAy ho iDt«rosUiij; to note thnt tb« name of tllis 
family, afterward* re well known to hifttory io ita ItAlianiwd 
fcirm of Qiiel{»h, ia gaid to oktb its odgiii to the follovinj 
legvuJ. 

An aikoeator of Welf I^Bnhart was renowned for liavioi 
aaved Cliax^lctiuigno £rutn Ifoing gondii hy a hull and for his 
fierce and importouH nature. Oudday.whea be was returning 
from a hunt, he wae met by a peaaant, to whom, in Answer to 
a requeai for an alms, he oeed loaolcnt and insulting Uuiguoge. 
The womaiu a bung almost to niAdnoas by hio tauniA, 
foretold to him that hia wifo should have aa many childrcD 
at a birtb ae thoro wore mouths in tho year. Tho propbc<7» 
fiO the story run*, wan ronliHud, and one night, whiU 
Isenbart was away from bouie, to the alarm of the whoU 
hotuehold the wail of twulve infiinttf siimiltaui^ouAly 611ed tb4 
oastleL The ninth«r. fearful of her husban^i's anger at SO 
rapid an addition to hift family, gave ordi^rs that eleven of 
the children should he Jrowned ere ti][^ return. On her way 
to execute tlie cruel order the maic] w»fl coofronbed by the 
Duke, who, struck hy the suspicious manner in which sKe 
attempted to evade him, aaked what she had :n her basket. 
" Welfen " (puppies) replied the iiightened aervant^ laenbart'l 
curioeity waa now thoroughly aroa»ed, and raiHing the coTcr. 
in spite of the tearful protestatioiie of the ma.id,di6Qovcrod,te 
hia intense oatonishment^ eleven healthy-looking boya faat 
Bfiloep. The words of the peasant dashed serosa his mind, 
and he intuitively guessed that tbe infanta were hie owiL 
Having sworn the girl to silence, he gave the ehUdren into 

2Sa 



Matilda a Guelph 



tho charge of his ftt-tiward to r^ar thoin in stnct Hecrefty, 
UDtler the iiain«^ nf" Wolf,'' Wht^n they were fully grown into 
fine stalwart lads he brouglit theiu one dny to hin c»0t]o> 
said to the auiazeuenb of the Court mtroduced them to their 
mothor and to their more delicately Durtared brother/' ^ 

The Saxon word Wolf, better koown m li^ly as Onelph. 
became later, in the reign of Barbaroeea, the title of a faction 
of tho Church, or tJhibolUnoa, who favoured tlio Empcror. 
" Our sympathioSj" rcmrtrka the hiBtoriaD, " tnuat go with the 
Gnelphic citids. in whoee viotory we rooogniso the triumph 
of freedom aad civil liberty." ^ 

About a quarter of a century before Matilda's marriage 
with a Guelph, a member of that family liiki) n^pou^d Judith. 
widMW of the English King TTarnld, At a lat<.T dato another 
brapch of the family married Maud, daughter of Henry II. 
of Euglaud/' at whose perMiaaiou the Emperur conferred on 
the Uuc^lphs tho Duchy of Brunawiok.," From thU line 
aprong the House of Hanover. '* which, since t.he beginning of 
the eighteenth century, has given kings to Great liritaiif/' 

Matilda herself ctaiTuod descent from the Ouelph^t, her 
great ^grandfather Azzo having married the heiress of that 
iUcstrious family '' whose princes and prinoeBsoB were 
remarkable for their devotion, their piety toward§ God and 
their moat religious attachment to the Apoatolie See." 

In 1090 all Tuw^any wa^ eleetrifit'd at the news of the 
coming marriage of " fia graude ComteEvui»" Tho probable 
elTect ttiLB change oE afiairo would have upou the future of 
the taarc^uiaate was diecuased in castle and eoitagc with that 
CrocdoDQ aud animation which id typical cf the Italiantt. 

Odc» again the princeas entered into the bonds of 
matrimony, and onco a^in for tho welfare of the Church alic 
onberod apou an olUancd ta whieh existed no atifoctioD «id 
no groundwork of agrdemont sav^ that of upholding tho 



Bell & 8oD, 137^ 



TraQAklcd bj Mr* Q- Ilorrockf. Luadou : Q, 



«i 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



Pftpftl Throne. No4rlj Uiiriy ycArv h*d now pooocd 
uxvoo wboo, on tho v*r|EO ofi wocftanhood, she had stood bcicrt 
Ui« ftlUr aa a bridi!, wkoM hand wika to bu tho price of 
elMring tho pAth of AUzandor II. to the throne* Tbia tint 
Ui« diHcrepaucy ot ag» wm on MotildaV nido. Wolf vu 
v«ry young and tht tvraoty-five yeam ^f difTerenoe betwwfi 
then ruse up aa a barrier and prevented thac unity of IdeM 
»nd UAten which might have drawn them togctther had blttir 
agisa been moro equal. Their tiniou never hocamo a tJoM 
one, and in ita ntter nbttcncc of mutual fl^mpathy reeeuibled 
thoaa compactfl which art i^ntered inU) by members of royal 
hoiuea fornera political ixoeonA. TLie divcrj^ence of opinion 
waa apparent from tht- very otttwsb, when thft princoev and 
h^r hoabaod were doUjrmininj; their future re^eaee* 
MntUdJii on thiaaa on every other iwint which toDched her 
patrictism, remained firm as ^^ranite. No arf^nmenta tJiat thA 
yonthftil bridefjpoom broiiglit forward could move her; eht 
ateodily adhered to the stipulation shd bad madd with lnW 
first consort that she ahoaJd not be r^uired to le«ve"her 
dear conntry." Welf^ wUo eotertauied feelings of warn 
regurd an6 &dmirfttiou for his wife, unwillingly yielded, Btid 
wh«n fbtfairs demitndet] his preeence in Bavaria he made tht 
journey &lone. ^H 

It w»a Bfl well tliab the OoaT)tc&& hod made tlie reaolatifv^ 
of rnmiiiajag within her own borderw, since the roeUcBfl King 
of Oormftuy» after nearly six years' interval, was agaia 
preparing for a desc^^nt upon Italy. Of late bo b&d been too 
much occupied iu iiuairoU with his Dobiea and with diasen- 
8ioos in hie own family to giva mneh thought to Tuacany. 
The news of hiseouam's marriaj^e with an enemy of biahonae 
fillod him with rage, and his imprecations npon tho head of 
Welf were so fierce that the fritinds of the Bavarian prinea 
gent to warn him of Henry's project. 

The monarcli's auger was more especially directed against 
Urban, whose infinenCQ be rightly coi^eottired had brought 
about the union. Hie inloctiun was to drive the Pope, sa he 

lS4 



Henry on the War-Path 

ittd already drivun Gro^ry, noLmeroly from thv faput Chair. 
i ^m Home ttaoif, and to oootrol th« tiara tbrou^jh 
Sotignincofnuccusfi^haprea^DLedliimaiflf atthch<?ad 
'of hie nrmy before the gates of the CapitoJ. Nor woa bis 

laDtieipntioD of victory doomed to diflappointment: biH path 

[was clear adJ his admittonoe QnoppoBed, The citir^ns, taken 
hy HUrpriae and awed by the strength and nninlxtrM of the 
iinperial troops, maiii» no show of resistance, but with fe^lm^pt 
of impiiteiil wrath wibncaseil the triumphjiiit rritry of Ihc 
Oociquemi. Is all the pride of iuHolf^uce he inarched direct U> 
the paloco of tho Fopos, within which Guibori* tirrd of hia 
«qnivocAl po&itiou oud not daring to venture foirth* a waited 
Um prince whom he had cre^tdd Emperor, and whoac presence 
would invent him with the sembhuci* uf auUiority. The 
Qonnau soldiers, who hod boon left in Rome m his tody-g:iiard. 
hailed the app^^amnoe of their Kinj^ and coiiutryinen with 

fvaptore, OB a rolief from the nooongenial task of serving the 

|auti-popeb 

The fttreeta vero flUod by the agitated Bomaia^ wboit 
nol«nc«of tone and aagry^g«8tnrve fniW to dimw H17 rvtoit 
from the ntoHd veterans who regarded them with suprerao 
indifT^irenOf^ CrowdH nf dvrgy nnd of th« pimM tutty, with 
dUtruwt arid uiiiety depicU'd apon their fucea, horned 
towards (he Castle of 8t Angelo, which wui for the time the 
cffntnt of aothority f^ir the (^hriAiiau world. All wrrri boiird 
uptin tho same errand — to coDoult with the Sovereign routllT 

' 00 to the stcpe to bti taken in thia dilemma, and to be guided 
by hie couneei. 

Urban, uncertain bow to oot in this perplexity, and not 
wishing U> quit Komo antil roduoed to the Ust extremity, 
bet! ought him of the ' Daughter of St Peter." " He wroUs" 
eaye Donixo, "letters upon ktten to the CounlOM, he eeni 
legates upon iegnbv. hi^ mcalled u> hur mind the oaths she 
had nmde to On-gory Hvetarin^* tofiAve th« Holy See/' 

Akhough tho Bomiiaft hod allowed tho Oermoa King 
UDdivpubed ]>oaAeaAioQ of their city, Hatihlo, in Jier ilcvotaon 




Matilda, Cuontess of Tuscany 

to Uk Church, lud tvcr ft vatehful cyo to the r»fcty of il 
Vic«r. ADd it woA fortimate for Urbau that eho Imd beoa km* 
waroed of Henry f ftpproACh. So gront, aooordin^^ to r«poK 
WIS tli« Dumerical str«ii|Etb ol the Qerman army that Co 
ruAut iU jmjgTOM «w iropoMihlo. To Attempt a battle woold 
be bat tooonrt defeats aeaUmity which vroulct deprive t^ 
PApikl TlirontT of tho onfyoKuinaby which iUdcfnncocooJdbi 
tLf^oi]i[>li<4bi.-d. RobtiH Quiucan) was dead, and only inm 
MatildjLand b«rr busbojid could UrboD liope for support 
thu criiiia of hiM retgu- 

Agaiu the iadomitEiblo rWntees provef^ b^rstrlf a lower 
utrength to Uio fftiHa;y; bo]>eA uF tbi? Pontifr,jiQd t'nr hinnacoour 
she broui^ht with her to Rome a body of hor moat tnutj 
men-at^arniK 

She was not any too soon, aioco Honry hod Joet no timetn 
hia proparaliona for Inyiniir u. strict ste^Q to St Angclo, and Bl 
aeborttime an escape for Urban would be rendered impoasihla 
Hio attention of thi3 Kioj; wae so conceatrntod apon tha 
mvefltmtint of tb« ea^tle, tbat the wateb ov«r the city gM«t 
was aomewhAt relaxed, and thift departure from the mJea of 
uiilituy dlHctplme Facilitated the untmnt;? of the prineoss. 

By Ji nori4V4 of matincitivrefi and a (1i>3L(>erity of movement 
of which cjtily Matilda was c&pable, she succeeded in forcing 
h«r way into tha CapitoV The rest vjhh Esasy, for by 
friendl)' [^ouiuvance ahe was able to obtaiQ uloads of ooid- 
unmication with the Pontiff by which to arraJige plana for 
bi9 releaecH 

Although Urban might have commanded the scntmclh 
under pain of oxcommuni cation, to open to him the doore of 
froedom, be reatraioed himself. Ho knew that tbeir liveB 
would bo forfeited for their fidelity to the Holy Sco, and he 
preferred to take the reBpooBibUitiee of hia dtgbt upon his 
own shoulderB. 

At length, one day, though with great difficulty, he eluded 
thmr vigilance, and taking advantage of tbe opportunity 
which might never occur agaiuj ht^ [«aacd quickly 

366 



A Tower of Strength 




iivtd through the gu^tes. Onct vritliont the w&lls of 
cutlo ho wa« a&Fe, Ere be coat<l be challcDged by Ui«; 
jn^d he wfih riurroundcci and closed m by Matilda'a kni|fhU. 
hod LoDifbden awaiting this Lour. &od ticcomponicd by 
fftithfuL MjitildiL hi; plox-od himaclf en route for Normao 
'»rrit-:iry, Tho citizens, who rcGogui^ud tho Pcntiff and kuutt 
^lor Uu llesaitig, could ill concoal their delij^ht &t the defeat 
?of Heary'8 dosi^ua Repcrta oi the lii^ht of Orban oroat«d 
rwidoKpreud excit^mant, and at 1enj*th reached the eare of 
Henry. Great was the chagrin of that monarch when he 
looid tUni hiA viiTtini wtu^ on h]8 way to Benevento and far 
nd tlie reach of purAUiU He conuoUd himm-df with the 
bt that ho ha(} fulfilled his intention cf driving; the 
Uff from Home, and thir next ntcp he pro|>onrd iva« to 
proceed to Tuscany and reduce Matilda to suhmifMou. 

Kvcrything Wfts in rcadincM for his cspedibloii when his 
plans were saddunly di^rgauiaod and hf wam compclird to 
forego hict campnign. Urgent mceaagea reached him re<]iiiring 
luB iminediatL^ preHoncc in Uermany. whoru he waa called 
npon to coeubat with an unemy who threatened him in his own 
licUBohold. This waa his eldeateon, who, aaa babo, bad t«kcn 
part in the Fearful jonmey lo Cancs*a, ' the memory of which 
atill haunted Bertha's dreams," Poor Quven! She, who 
through all the miMmH of her marriod life had kept sacred 
the love «he felt when she first called the boy-kin^ hufihand, 
what must have been her M>rrow tt> iwe the hand of her fint- 
liuru raided against hia father? "Par Iwttvr,** thought the 
unhappy wife and mother, "had he died an infant on my 
breast Utan have lived to bring hia fatJier into de^idly confliet 
with bhoec of his own kindred." Ucr pious soul h^d lon^ 
been tronbled by the remembrance of the sacriJagioua act 
which ah« had shared with her lord. In allowing herself to 
be crowned in Rome by tho anti-pope she had tadtly 
aflkoowledgcd his nght to perform the ceremony. Had 
Orogcry. however, lived to ace her nuHfortunea, be woold have 
been the ftral to amue bar that her motive were ao poro a&d 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



■u * pnwili 
QwmM 



1 



nnwLOah thftt eho miut not regard hor triale lui » piMuib 
for igitoring btti Authority oa be«d of the Ubtirch- 

U^iu-y'a pernst^ni cmcltj to the pAtieot 
icDiuonUity and his imputy, b^^ tnrucd thei 
children from him. Oocurmd. who hud jujit (10^ a 
upoD his soTontc^nth ycor^ httd^ fiom childhood, fthraab 
his facer's ovarturos of ftffftotioa with nich c^ 
ropugnuic<!i that H^nry upbraided his vifo with aliffmtii 
ion'a love. " It Li «ioDe to th« Crimea of & fAtber," m 
Che hifltori&n, "th&tarv AtLribuUd th* defection of a 
The ftftnie authority deaorilwA the princQ aa *'a tv 
ChrialiAn, whc> abhomsd the Kfaiiin of bin father and pc 
log a »piriL dnn and right whioli datoBtixi ahumafol 
and rOBes." 

Hftnty'fl frequent and lengthy ahronccs Frtmi his 
Uie djaaffoction of the coblca and his cjccomtuuaicntioa 
the Churchy macle iDAUrrectton both po^nibJc aud eauy. 
deposibioo wae regarded by Conrad, not an a mea 
adracciDg his own iuU^renta, but aa the only way by i 
hiH country oould bo saved from the internal wara i 
appeared immiuenb. Thu pnnee had, on tho de&tJk c 
mat^rnaJ grandmothdr, Adelaide, sQcotodod to her rich 
in Italy. With money and men at hIsooiciDand, and pre 
ol help from his new subjects, be believed the hour wae 
to wrejib the sceptre fmrii hia fntlier*!^ unwortliy 
Conrad, however, was not popular with the ^axon chit 
whom be applied for aid. BuuhblvBa lliey woctid bftVfl 
Furred bu eee one of their own raee npoa the throiie, aod 
would give OQ cDcourrtgetucnt to the propOMd ruing. 
Oermana are a futhful people^ and the return of Uietr 
revived withiu them bhr dyin^;: Hame of loyadty. WttI 
accord they llock<^ to hie etaiid&rd and tb^ eauao of d 
waa doomed* The unJmppy youth, whom hie father 
alwaye viewed with euspioion and dialike, paid a a< 
penalty for his unfilial eoudnet. Ho wae brought 
priaoner lato the presence of hia jiutly-iDoenaed pe 



4 




Conrad's Rebellion 



dftprivod of &11 rightuof bucciiosiod. dismissed wiUi Gontumeljr 
froiti Court, Binl ecmdt-mned ti.» j><?r|jetii&l eiile. 

Th I* sight of Lis ffttheri^ stern and ioiplac&ble couDtao* 
taice roueed the sleeping repujrse of the coiiHcieiic&*vitT]c1con 
pnDce, :tikd he liflteoed in eiloDce to the jnJgiiieDl proiiouimcHi 
upon hini, and from which ho made no arppeoJ. It wrw the 
Utter part of the sentence that w^i^hed moet heaTiIj upon the 
culprit, for ii ilepnvod him of the companionship of his motheTp 
and ho f^azod through a, mi^of tears at tho sad fAce he now .saw 
for the laat time on oarth. In vain the bereaved Bertha cast 
herself at the feet of her lord and beaought him to he merci- 
fol and remit the eentonco of banlithment Tho King:'a only 
r&pTy was to order Conrad'e instant expolsioo. The words 
M\ liice A knell upon the ears of the QueeDn Her boo'B 
buoiiUation bowed h<*r to the earth and rendered her an owiy 
prny fai n slow fever, from tho eflcyts of which she never 
rallied. Within twelve roontha of her de^eitao Henry 
married TnLiBdis. the daughter of n. Bu^sian Count, who, itayR 
the hiatariau. "trembled befon^ her huabund as a lauih before 
the teeth of & voJf." She became so terrified at HoriiT^ 
hftTsh treatment that she c<?ntriTed to eacnpe from the priaou 
in which ho had confined her, Qcd fled for syiup&thy itnd 
oasbtance to Matilda. The Count^^Hs, in whose heart ''the 
voice of blood and of pity spoke loudly/' had already p-antcd 
AD asylum to Conrad for hla mother';^ sake, and the two 
viotizns of Henr/s opprcMtion met together under tho mm 
ht^pttn\i\v roof. From thia cireumatance it has been aeaerted 
that Conrad's revolt had bi»"n countennnced by the princesfl. 
It ia impoKMihlft tu heliuvu tlmt ttit? high-minded Matlldftp 
with h?r exatt«<] idc^nn of 61ia1 duty, would liave eneoumg^ 
A von to rchnl ngi^inttt hiA own fatlirr, even though that 
father waa her enemy. Her staiDlofle reputation, her piety 
and her moral tnainini; ahamcn auch a aospiciou of hsr 
jnt«j£rity. 

Conrad'A bitter repenUnoo of bin fault wa« much 
a|(gra\'at4>d by tho knowledge of all the additional trouble it 
T >S9 



u 





J 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

hod bruofcht upon hip tnotbcff. Ho opbraidod huoMlE 
having oau«od bcr d«etb,niid endMTODrod hcnoefottiil 
ia A DUMBOS bufitticij; h«r moRkorjr. Aflor k fow y^ 
gacpiatjoii lie died, " full of faith and prood worke," ta 
finearely motmied bj the wnrin -hearted Itoliaiiib ^ 
wtMVD he had won hj his piety and b^ tho fortitadi 
wMob bu bore htn xufferbga. 

Matilda kept tender watcb at the bedftidti at the flu 
lean oiilo. im<l thn gi^Ue munntir of hor ferveot prayt 
lik« dew upon iLe coutrito acm] of tbe ilying pKneci 
didherkiiidtJC««f4<}p here. Sbe^Teberuufortanatoj 
relative a trnml befittmg hlemtik»ai:d erect«d tohtinui 
in hor own city of FlorGuco, *' a magni£oeDt iotnb wovl 
a kin 9 and a Cbmtiau." 

Wbtlo Matilda wan ocoapjed with icoihia^ Conmd's 
to the gmre, a obai:ige vfUB iakmg place in Home i 
appeared to give siiti^f action to all partiec 

Oo tuB return to Oermauj, Henry had takoa mtb 
all the forces he coald nniirter, anri the anti-popo, being 
d(*pnrotI ot the protectiuu of the Iroo^a, bogan to f»i 
pofliHou to l>9 one of eitromp danger to his liberty, aod 
his life. He does oat ap^wair 1(> bnve rnailn any nee c 
arrogated j>ikwer, Aud after usurping tho tbrniio for 
years he Rudd en ly quitted ItomiA arid ce&aud to trouble 
Cbmch, He died in 1100. 

The path thus ckared, Urban returned (109£l) to 
paaaeeaioD of the Chair of St Peter, and, in tho lan^aj 
the bUtorion, " recovcn^d the independence of the tiara.* 

Tfro years Uter he cunvcn^^J a Council, whieh ho be 
Plaoentia, '' in the very midst of the eohiemauoiil Lomba 
It waa numeroutfly altendnd by all runha of clergy 
noblea anjioos to testify tht^ir devotion to the Holy 
" Besides two hnndred ptnkti^H and fonr thousnnd oleries 
respdnd^d tA the cat), there were thirty tho uaaud of tba I 
who ^guitioil their uitectiou of being present* An impo 
protonb," remarks the same authority " on behalf of the pi 

390 



L 




Peter the Hermit 



of tbo Church to whioh the preeenoe of dehg&tes from 
Gcnnnny, froro tho KJDgH cf Fnmoe and Engluid, and frooa 
the East, added additloaal aignifioaDoe." So ^normoiu wa« 
the gAthenng, tho-t there wab do building large enough to 
contain ao mauy peraoua, and t^nta were hurriedly erected in 
the <»j*n tield for their receptioti. 

The eame yis&r (1095) tTrban paid a vEait to hw native 
«iniifjy» where he held^ nt Clermotit. a Coiircil whioh wa« 
prolen^d for ten days. It was at this meeting that Peter 
the Hermit, a cative of Amiene, requested at) andJenoe 
of the Pontiff, By his description of the aad condition of 
the holy placee, aad tbe harbarons treatmoat to -which 
pilgrimB to tiiem were eabjected, by hia emotion, and by hU 
entreatiea, he moved many of tlioae present to teara. Urban 
was 80 touched by his zeal and simple eloquence that be gave 
hi« aaaent to the 6ret Crusade io win tbe Holy Cityfroro the 
iufidels, *' an idea which Gregory had transmitted aa a legacy 
to hie fluoeeRflore/' 

It wonld have been Henry** privilege, had he heeaurowried 
Eiuperor, to have, qa the name implied, Gommanded thia war 
of tlio Croaa His present ajiooialouH iiohiHon, however, 
precluded the pca&ibilJty of his heading the exi^editiuu. No 
European mler took his place in the 6rat Cruaade, although 
tho SoTOreigna lent their countenance to tbo mighty army 
oompojiod of and organised by noblea aud UiiiichtEi of ovory 
laud. Philip I. of Franco wna, as we are reminded, "a ptineo 
ton much addicted to ploaeure, and too infamoue by hia 
irre^Iaritiee to be capable of aay great binder taking/* Nor 
was the EngliJth King, the dissolute William Rufuji, better 
quali^ed to oommand an army of *' Soldiers of tbe Ooaa'' 
"TbiM monarch wan/' remarka Home, "destitute alike ot 
reBgions feolmg and religious principK" He had at this time 
rpo-overvd From a dnugerous illneas, and " returned to hta 
furiaer violence and rapine^ He atllt preyed apnn tho 
e«o!o«i«atical bene6c«a. Tbe sale of epiritiial digajtirn 
oontinited aa open aa ever, and be kept posaeaaioti of a 

191 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

loTAblv purl of iho reruDaea lidongii^ to the S«e ct 
Cut«rbary." In vaio the f-ectle &nd pioua Arcbt»abap 
AnaeliD itttcia[>tc<J to rcntruin the moii&rc)i FroiD the rcpeatoi 
metA of dimOQj aod robboiy which daiiy ihrt^ioDtsd to dnw 
opon hioQ tiut czconmonicntion which hici coodoct 
doaorv«>d. 

"In ord«r to ftotm&tc th« f&ithful to ussiet in t1 
imdATtalcing, UrbiLQ ^rant^ a plenary inditlgonce/* %nd th«' 
■pQibolie bltwing to all who ahouM tnke pjirt in tt.^ "Go4, 
wills it," waa the cry, and the ^nthusianni than created by 
CeommIi^th ftprrnd like wildfire tLroaghaut every Court in 
Ban>pci. 

In ft short time th« volunteers numbered three ham 
Uioiimti J. or. «u3cordiu^ to o, modern hifltori&n,^ six hundred 
thooAand men, the lirst divieion of which wjks drawn fromthi; 
proviQcea d the Rliioe. " The cruaadera, ondor the miliUrj 
co&duct of U(>dfr«y of Bouillon, eonmstcd of the very choicest 
(roop4. And vrerc lod by tho most distin^ished champions o£ 
Chr^tendom/' It wae at the Popo'e pcreonal request 
tho knight had been chofieu to lead this religious expeditiofi 
He was at this time in his thirty'lifth ycAr, and his portrait 
IS thua described : *' He himaelf waa a tell, strong ma o^ arrived 
at that period nf Ufe when men are supposed to have lost noue 
of their resolution while they hiive ticqnir^ a wisdom ani^L 
circnniApBetioQ unknown in their earlier years. TlH^H 
countenance of Godfrey bef^poke both pmdeDCe nnd boldnens* 
and reeembled hitt hair, where a few tbreadii of silver were 
rireftdyroiogled with hifl raven locke."" " Godfrey, the? rnoiid 
of Ghriatian heroes,"eay8his biographer^" united to a penetrat- 
ing and solid j ad gment the moat intrepid ccurage and extra- 
ordinary strength of mind and body." Ht5 had, on Henry's 

' " Hera iV'™'iti Tinea the Che vail i-r D'ArtBurf, *'a new procif itf LutKttT'ti 
error,'* wliLcL dcniod iLc cxlaUiDcc of LadulgeaGes iix the oarli«r ^m vt 
IU0 <Jliiirch's hiatoiy. 

1 Sir Walter Scott. 

■airWaltor8cQtt< 




A Worthy Knigh' 



inveetineni of Rome during the PootiBcate oE Qregoiy, been 
one of bbe Siat to enter the Capitol. The idea that he bad 
thereby ** violated the City of Saint Peter sat heavily on 
hiBfiouL" Being shortly afterwards strickeci by a fever, he 
vowod that iu the event of his tocovery ho would go on a 
pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The Crusade, therefore, 
presented to him an opportimity not only of Eultilling bis 
promise but also of devoting his life to the service of the 
Lord, against whose Vicar on earth he bad formerly taken 
aima. 



>SJ 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



CHAPTER xm 

■■ Ikcfi Ihoii Qol ve opon uy br«wt 
The cnMB gf bho Gmaailet* dhioef 
Mf |«thv»/ IflAdfl to PRlatm«." 

Bkfdrk r«ti]riung to Rome, Urban made an exhauutlva to' 
tliroughoat Fnuic^f.', "Tb.ie Frenoh Pop!'/ qiimntly r^niAr 
the hisbonaii, " fell gr«at. joy m t)tua travetllog tn hia natirv 
rciiutry/' Everywhere he held OoatifrilM 1:1 wliioh qtiorttioiri 
reUtiva to CLurcb orj^uiaatioo wero diacufified, and ivcwtved 
his final judgment. Diadplitie waa onforcod in the cam of 
Kiag Phihp* who had divurced his wifo and taken iq her 
place Bortrade, tho beautiful Countets oi Aqjou. It waa only 
after Philip " had eworo upOD the Gospels aerer to repeat tli« 
offeDce^*' th&t the aiccomoitmioatioii was removed^ af tor It had 
been twioe iDlicttid upon the amorous moD&roh. Bitterly 
did Bprtradb repent nf her faultv and *' renoitncing the worU 
of which she had been fli> loog the idol slie took the religioitft 
vail at Fontovrnud," in odo of the etricbC'it onl^re of th 
time. 

At Toms the PontifT wma received by the afflicted 
husband, and rewarded him for hiB oxemplarj life and hu 
B^rricea to the Churob by tho preaontation of tho Golden 
Rose. TbiB is probably the Bret inetauce on record of a 
cuatom ijvhioh hue siace prevailed, in %7biob the dovotion 01 
BuletB to the HoJy See aod their example of % moral life 
were publicly recogniged by a gift from the Church, Th» 
title of "Rose Sunday" was afterwards givdo to the fourlli 
Sunday in Lent. On that day it was usual for the rdjgniu 
Pontiff" to ride in state on horseback, wearing his mitre an 

594 



41 



Matilda Alone 



bettrtng the dow«r in bis hartci. to aBeisb &t the mau in Suit^ 
Ctooe" the cburch eodowud by tlit> Kmpruaa UelcDa. Ixt 
later lime^ the ^t took the form of ^n oruameot, oonaUtiDg 
of A single red tlower of wrought gold, the petals of vfaich 
woTB Adorned Willi rubies, and which, after l^irig nn thn 
altar dunag mass, waa aout lo the peraoD for whom it waa 
lot^tDded. 

Hift tour of inapectioD completed, Urbnn touk leara of hia 
COUDtrjrmeu Aod reached Itome In time for the ChriatTCias 
f«tiritiea Ilia " homen^omi&g waa celebrated hy the citizena 
aa a day of joy." " He himeelf was ha^^py m the Uiought 
that ho hifcd roaliaod the withon of Urogory, who hod c^pcciaUj 
eDooiira^(>d the idea of that Holy War," The Eternal City, 
tiDder Urhan's cnlightotecl rulo and UDdiatnrbod by Heiuy*a 
^miBeariefi, bool reeuuied ita former coatoiufl, and the Ponti^ 
having armnged his aHairB.rtjpaired to Ltiecatopay hiilonj;- 
promUed viait to Matilda. 

The Couot«aawa« at that time alone, her hunband having 
permanently r«luriied to hU Dnchy of Bavaria. During the 
firat years of hiflninrried life, Well, who had not yet AtLjtiiind 
faitf tweifty-Hixth ycnr, spent a giioil dcsal of lime iu hift wife^a 
socioty. Qe took no part iu tho goTc^mmeikt of her eatatotf, 
HOT did he mako any prot«nt agaiunt her woll-kiiowii lulcu- 
tion of bequoathiQ^; tbcm to the Church at her death. But 
ftltkoQgh the prince waa a kind aod oonaidaf^te hoabaod, be 
waa far from happy in the refinement aod tmaqniility in 
which hia daya wore poaaod. To oue of hia aetive lompeta* 
moat the tedium v/m <ilmo^ repulsive He had bat little 
sympathy with Uitiidaa ataJio«, atid the atriet oonmojkial 
obaerved at bar Cotart chafed him beyond endurance. Froin 
childhood h« Iiad bt^u accustomed to Ihv vaH«ty and axcdU* 
inent of the canip^aiid bad been early trained to anna Toong 
aa h« waawhvn \m [)nill«fd Qtirmany, he had already aoqnirad 
no mean repntalion for hta skill in the military exercaaea Id 
which the ttt^bJas of tho time were wont to compete. With- 
drawn from the favonrito pureiiirta iiibi which be waa 

»94 



Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 





Accnxtom^ to throw h\% whol« hoarl And i9onl, luid pining 
for ftomo oiitlot for hu paot-np eoergfifla, no woDder Welf w« 
cifilttppjp, Haiild^'fl patnotUm miwdb «Uovr&nGe8 for tbs 
pTLDCoV ovid«tnl yeamiufif for liom^, luid wht-u, ftfivr lilUe 
moro than five joam of mairiiDoaial Life, he proposed rcUuo- 
iog to hU nfttJvo \§tnd «he r&ifl^d do ohetocle to his pl&w. 
Thoro wero Mveral rMSOSAirhich xirspd him to briDi; mAitca 
to this crUitt. Hia aflkin wero sadly m noed of hia tyaptv 
iBtondoDCo, 4uid Ihonifh probftbly bo wotilJ hiivo doFcrred hit 
fituU »op«raUoo from hU wtf« to a more remoio period, cveota 
hsd hftpptnod which dem&ndcd h)>! itnnwdiftto pronwnco ia 
Bftvaru, Henry, the reigning Duke, w&ary of the woilJ 
into which hi^ «oa wm «ooAg«r to witer, " loDgud to exchuig^ 
blarobvA for Uie cowl utidiier^d, and the tftpefltriedchanih4>rftnd 
bod of down for tho pfttlot, uid the diirlc aod lon^^ly (»?]J for 
the aoondB of joy Aod Uagfttar." He thtiruujiou ntedgnnd hii 
chy in favour of bin sou Wolf* tvho uAtandly beoanw 

iOQH t:* nor.nrc bia pAtriiiiony, 

Thd Duko, Aft«r Wnly imploriiig hia wifo to aceoinpftDy 
him to «harc his life a&d h)5 homOi rductAntly b«dc h«r4D 
atl\T.TtiODJktv UruwolL Uo ebaaembled hie loilowera, o&d U> 
Ihcir ill-coucnaiod dalight quittod th« Italijvx shom^a 
eO€Qe« of greater enterprise and ch^ti;^- 

A few monthe after he Imd pjvrt«d frotu MutildHi Urhui 
arrived to pay hia loug-def^rred visjL Had th€ lEnpAtieat 
W«lf UrriinJ a while longor he would have formed part of 
thftt r^nowmiJ Ijand of hi*roea whose csj^luitN have mada 
their mhitLKi famous Lhrougbout tlie cmliHei) world. 

TliQ PnutlQ* was taot at Lucca by a body of Orufladen^ 
whofte [ovc of nJventure made them impatient to ntart on 
the perilous enterprise which had received the opcciul flaQcttua 
of the Cliiarcb. 

Matilda and ber mAideos ^ad ombroidcrod a number of 
red bodgcn to be worn on the aniut of the fiery younjE 
wsrriora Many a prayer for tbdir safd hom^^eominji; wai 
woren prith tho insi^ia of their faith by tboee whoss 




Crusaders in Tuscany 



t 

I 

I 



fhoCghiA ftnd ]avf< woulJ folTow them heyiiid ttvfUi. fn 

cArly days, before Floreiiei? NigbUu^le bail lirii Lbe 

y for aiabuliuicc work, thrn^ wn» no crg«nisQtl gyatem oi 

^narning. Since in that a>f« thwt frienda were tngagccl id 

..OODBtAnt iKiuda it Lchcjvt!^ cvf^ry womAii to h&vc a knowlcd^ 

^ of flurgory, however primitive it m^y hftve boeo in itA ^pplica- 

tion. Th« ludiiM, uxrly nccuMtocncd to the night of blood, did 

iu>t nhrink from the taak of washing and binding up wounds. 

7h»y w«re odepta intho art of iDuking sftlven And reatoTAtiTOi 

and in preparing lint for tUeir disabled iovalida. HatildA 

m&dti it A apeci&t point tlint o£u:h knight wue stippUod with 

tJiwm n^^cpjwary equipments, and the bright eye^s of many a 

U&uiJicl ^ri^w iHin with Lftam a« sthr pictured tier gay yunog 

wnrrjor in uofxl of Uicm^ ^fhaslly appanda^^en of war. 

For ACTcral mnnthn hoforo tht^ arrival of Urban tho 
princess and hor attendants had work*>d at a spUndid 
banner which wan to accompany the Cm^aders, and which 
tho fontiti' had promised to cspocially consocrate. Matilda''a 
Court presented at thi3 titne a sight of unnnual animation ; a 
tnistk qnite foreign to tho usual atilincae prevailed every- 
wber«, and even the prineeBs caught tho contagion of tho 
gon«ral excitement Monntaineera and lowland peasantA 
eame from all parts to satiafy their cnrioaStf , and gazed in 
aiBtoniJ^hment at the nodding plumes which surmounted th« 
OBKqueM of ihif Htcwl-clad cavalivn who passed thruugh tkta 
villager of Matilda &r^ setting out far tlie East The advent 
ni Ilrlian wka thi* signal for uiiiventnl oatbursts of enthiisianni, 
nnda« tho l\)ati£r gaxed upon the haughty heads so roverenlly 
bowed before him, he «igbcd at the thought of how low aome 
of them would tKxm be Eying. Perhaps he for«aaw that ho 
would bo namborcd with the dead ero the retarn of the 
victora With solemn wcrda of eoooara^uont and wanung 
he comwcratod and delivered to thom tho emblaaonod banner, 
which was eagerly seised by their outstretched hands. 
Kameatly hti implored thv blcnii^ of Ht^ven upon the 
kneeling army, and then turned to watob with keen iaMmi 

i*7 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

ikmr preparAtiotiJi for dopartiiro. Tbeoe were ezpdditioDilj 
gwtM out^ for tlio CruMiulun wero in ImH ha«t« to bo gene, 
And only tArned to t&ke Wve of ITrbui and of the boapiUbf^ 
flnimfii FUngiag UiviiimJv«m %/Trtimt Uiair r«Mtivfv Ktndi. 
they wore twuu kmi to aigbt io Uio doudi of dust nMsd b; 
tlio rapidity of Uicir moYomrDta, 

Tho Pontiif eqjoyed but a abort interval of repon b 
Lttooft, fov tio^ too, wiu about to engage in a iporf*ro no liM 
florot tban that to wbicbtLoOraAadoiBworolLaeteaingtotiA 
th&ir atroQgth. Tho ooutdat, tbouK^i ^^t to be doterciiDcd ^J 
foroo of arniii, in^rolvod even more aerioas issu^e tban tliat m 
vhieb tbb ii''>ughty wurriont had ploJ^tsd tbemBelToe to bp 
▼ictorioii* The renewal of the opposition of tbo Holy Sa^ 
to ihn impttrlnl dftim Ut iaveatitiiTo, Jemanded Froni ita vietf a 
coura^ more than vqual to that dinplayttd by tlii^ " anuj of 
tho Gtube/' and a pitti«ot Findtininus fur iiur|>or]Qr to tlid 
tniunpli of niuLorml furuti- 

Befori: <]uitl.ii:g Tiiftcany, Urb«i obtaioMl from Mntilcla 
nrw deed, which coDtjuni^ il mtittcatioa of her fortncr gift 
territory to the Chuiob. " II but forth in the fcllowing 
allthatpffi«edbetweeDGregoryundthepriuccee:~*I, Ma 
by tho grace of Ood CtmnteM, for the eftlratioa of my 
and thoAO of mT anooators, h&VG givun AiUd oOorod to ibo 
Cfanrcih of St Peter the whole of my gocijh? thnt I poeBn 
and thoae whieh I may iLcqaire by rigl^t of aiioceegion, or aoy 
Dth(»r titl^, n^^c^rding to the UDiverea) donation m£td« And 
delivered to thij hand^ of the Lord Gregory and Pope of the 
RomiLO Chnrch/ 'The Holy Church,' continues the parch- 
laenf^ ' is free to dispoHo iif them/ " ' 

Immediately on hie return to Rome, Urban held a Conn 
and after a lengthy ci>nference the exdustvo right ctf ,lhe 
Ohurcb to confer inveatitnr&a was clearly definod and 
tDonaly adopted. 

From Borne he proceeded to Bari. and there conreoed ■ 
Coimoilf at which a hundred tuid ninety-livu bwhope wMtt 

39S 




Ratification of Bequc&c 

preaent During the cDuree of the deb&te Urban "caHad 
atoiiJ to the Aj't^hbialiop of Ganterbuiy, who h^d thki^ii ft 
Brunt &t the end of the hall, ia^ing, ' Anuelni. uur Father, aad 
our uwn Mastfrr, whars ara yon ? ' itnd cansiid liirn tci ait uoxt 
to him on thu throne of hoQour." During the ineetiug the 
conduct of Willifljn IL of Euglaod came up fcr diBcufiBion, 
mud, at the ioetance of the Council, it was desired th&t hie 
eimony and his oppreaston of the clergy bUouUL be punished 
hj oxcommuQieaticn. Auae1ni,who had bitherto romalned 
a fiiteut but attentive listener ta the debntef rone up and, 
cafiting himself at the (&Qt of th« Pontilf, entreated him not 
to prouooDue the anathema upon bia SoTereigu, 

The members of the Conucil were Btriiclc with astonidi- 
ment that s luan ae itUtreateil uh Aneelm had been by the 
King bhould thub gtiaeruui^ly take hia part. His epuutaneoua 
■nd unnxpeeted appeal for tlie abeent tniinureh ti.)ucbed alt 
hearts, and Urljtto, with a lovhig gUnce uf adLubatloi] at the 
Archbishop, granted his reijiiecft hy the ajiauiicouB voie of the 
viutt amemhiage. 

One other Council held At Rome wae tho last, by whioh 
the Pope "terminated bia glorioue career. " Hw i^dveniment 
was i^no of Gontimial activity, and included his proeouo^ at no 
Icsutt tlian twelve Oounoila held in Italy aiid Fraootk 

Nor did liia manifold dutiea prevtiut bim &cm earryinj^ 
out the nile of Si Benedict with regard to literary work. In 
addition to hiB more lengthy eoTupositioDa " 6fty-nino cif hit* 
loiters ftre still preaerved in tho Concilia of P^re Labb^ '' ab 
witnea«60 of the excraerdixiary iuduatry of this indefatigable 
Pontift 

Urban, wh<iM« name Uas l>eeii hoiicmred by tire Church With 
tbe prefix of " BleBse*!," pam^jd qiiiuUy nwny on 29th July 
1009, after ft bimy [)outificatd of little more than eleven yoara' 
duration. '^Oe diod," remarks th« htsti^naD. " on the ave of 
that century of ectrife and confuBioii over which hia «pint aod 
that of Gregory hevoTdd*" 

On bis dc«thbed Drbao's cftra, 90 aoc& to close to earthly 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Rounds, were choer^ by the (jlorkna newi of the recovoiy 
Jwuwiioiii from the infidolii. 

After the taking of Antioch. in wtdch '*tiio Cmsaden 
bcoma in bum iHwicgn^l* mini fn>m which thvy i-mergvJ 
^^dnced by famine auil paaUleucQ." they coutlaued ikat 
jODTiicy jioiathvrwrds to th« Holy City, [n Anttoch tbeybai 
ftccidcDbAlly dlacovured lije Hpear wbii^ bad pierced theiida 
of ottr Divine Lord, Thi« RMrc»d r«lic they cwi-icd flJoft. ui 
Ua coDt«EQplat)oti fcttvi) them fitrcojfth to eapport their \ooz 
antj pot&ful march. Dimng tbo weary time t^y ^vere with- 
out the w&ile of Jerusalem thia trophy animated Xh^m ta 
«very effort to i^ain an ontntxico. After a *ie^ of five wmIo 
they eff«oted their porpoae, aad the banneT which the Pope 
hj^ble«*Ml floated in the van of the conquering nrmy. Proudlf 
they pl&uUMl ujvmi thu brukmi walla Godfrey's owo fiag, wbicli 
had led the German knight* to msny an encounter. tTpon ilB 
craving folds were emblazoned an arrow irau^^iing thiee 
spreojj caglea, llie algo of victorioQB arniB, pecnliArly adapted 
to the AuccesB which iovariably utteiidcd the valiant coDh 
mauder in the Held. 

It is horrible even to think of the fearfol maesaerecf 
Jews and inSdelfi in consequence of their ebetinato reeietonce 
to those who wont thither in the natneof the Prince of Feaoi. 
''Everything." onrrateci on cye-witneaa/' was ewimming b 
blood, 180 that the very conquerors, weary with camaffe, stood 
aghast at the spectacle. Beneuth the porch of the moaqneoC 
Qm&r the blood rose to the knees, and even to the bridles, <if 
the bonw«." ■ 

Godfrey alone seemn to have remembered the moUvn 
wluch druw thuCnisadersso far from home. Di vesting hinwell 
of his blood -^tihiced garinentu of war, he clothed himself in a 
penttenlial garb of woollen, and tliua attired went barefooted 
and unaccompanied roond the city, aad prostr&bod hinudi 
before tbe Floly Sepulchre. As he gazed upon the tomb oi 
his Lord, and thought of the many Utcs aacriBced U> preser\'e 



A Christian Hero 



m violation, a wave of rmnorse sw&pt over hie geneTOaa 
1 ; ienTA which he could not refitr&in fell From hU eyQB. ofid 
fl forTTi 8h<K>k vrith thdfiol^ which vibrjiteJ his mfttily boeom, 
Tlie Gi^rmons, who were engaged, together mtU thear 
llow-Chriatiaosjn putting thoiuhFihitniits in dw*tb,FndH«nly 
blintr loJidKr, :itiO boixfuim;^ tilarmod at hiti pmlangnd 
ence inftUtiiitrd a hiirritNl m^^rrh for him. On ikrriving at 
grav<; tlicy li^arned Iho cauM; uf hin rtttLreiuvnt* for there, 
lin^ before tho rcsting'plftc^ of his Divine Lon), thuy 
fbond the worthy dcacendaut of Charlcmiiin^t The Icagou 
wont home to thorn ; they wore (overcome with shame at being 
%he witncsa of & devotion and s^ief they ahould have ehAreJ. 
ThG cfxrnagc snddoiUy OOMod, the soldiers fitiDg aeidc their 
blood 'K tain ed w(fApona,«id aU th&t, and the eticceeding night, 
Godfrey's exampU W4S CoUowod by the whole army, and 
"every soldier in trim knelt in the HoJy PliKjen," "SubJtmc 
fiOciUl/' centiunea the historian, io an outburst of adtuirntion, 
** more potent than clarion or truin|>et in bringing a f'hriatiaa 
army luLck to its doty." Godfrey was, as Iiaa 1x<cn tmly 
retnnrked, 'Hhp onn man tn whom wnn* nnit^d the warm 
faith jinil heroic valuur.tlm utter dental of Ftulf. and the parity 
of life which had greatly contributed to the sncoew of the 
croaadD and rendered bim above aU othetB worthy to rola the 
Holy City." 

At a gathering of the CmaadorB the noblea and Iuiigh1« 
QlMlumoQaly elected Godfrey de Bouillon to tho throne of 
J«maJom, bat he firmly declined the protfc-red honour. " In 
a city whore oar Lord wa« crowned with thome," said he, 
"it la not fitting; for anyone to he King,'* He abeolutdy 
refxued to accept »ilher tbft namo *»r inaignia of royalty, 
merely reaerving for himself the title of "Defender of the 
Holy Tomb of ChfiKi,'* Ho drew up a ciodr of !awa for the 
couLiiil uf the city, which were, according to hlAturiatiJi^ con- 
sidered "such modrla of j^rv<prudcncl^ that for more tlian 
eighty yeara Ihoy formed tho baaia of ^venment.' 

Godfrey himaoif, t^ tho regret of aU ChriatoDdom, did nui 







j^";^^ 



iie». 












^■•tl^,,' 






^^-^^'^r 



••»« 



'e^m. 



"Xfo/, 



*«d, 



°''t/.er'.:'.^'*»r«,,/=« 



»&o 



by 



Dti 



iik, 







Pascal IL 

pxiblic, aod Boon found himeetf at liberty. Unfortucatolj for 
Bonier, hie CardinaVa robe was qniokly rocogoieed by Iho 
orowd, who were awaitinjf the daoiBiou of Ihd Oi>nol(ive» " and 
bis uodignitidd baste betrayed tbe secret be would fain have 
preserved from their knowledge," Escape whs how impoeeible^ 
and nmu\ the ac€<!amatiutiB of tLepuojits the fugitive Cardinal 
waa recouduoted bo the Council Chambar. 

A.t his Qiitmnoe hia Cellow-e]fict<>r>i rofl^ in ft l>ody, and 
greeting him with criee of "St Peter wieliea you as Lin 
mocesaor." informed the trembling prelate of bie elevaticti to 
the throne be bad taken aucb palnB to avoid- 
In Aug^ist ol" that year (lOiJO) he wafl publicly crowned, 
tuking the title of Paaoal IL.from Uic first of tbatnEune.who 
b&d diod early in the uinth oentury and who was enrolled by 
tbe Church in her lUt of saiuta. 

Hm PoatilTs affability loon gained tor him the aff«H7tiODs 
ftpt k^ conntrymen ; "hingracions dBmeanonr and piirty hftd 
noaeiliated all turouud bim, aud biN unanimcua electioi] 
brought to Rome a peaoe it tmd not known for m long time^" 
Btit alas I Pascal's reluotauro to wonr thp» tiara, and hia self- 
ackiu>wWgn<l unRtneu fur thcf digtitty, woro not jutcrimed to 
|>rurehia humility ; on the oontrAry.eubaequeat events proved 
hie ofltimAto to he a correct ore. Liko the lato PoLLlifr 
Victor, hia remarkable timidity r^^ndered him pLyaically 
unequal to govern at snob a eri^B of the Churoh'e biatory. 
Bat Victor, whon put to th« test* roe^ tuperior to bis natnral 
weakness, whereas Pascal *' ehowed himaelf," severely romorks 
the biatorian, '* very unable to comprehend the i^eat catifie 
for which his predaf^weom hnrl fought." 

Soon afitir PaauaVtt AcceaHioii news reached }am that 
Gtjihert, who had vac^tted tbe Papal Chair nearly Moven 
van, hul pumed awA> tf> render n ntrict acxsount of hia 
snrpntion. 

Tho King of QermaDy, wbo bad aomewhat vuccooded ju 
roddflUig hifi rebvUiouM itubjiiutu to ord^r. was nnfortuuatoly at 
lobeor^attbe lime to turn hid atlentjou to Italy, Quietly 

303 




Nfatilda, Countess of Tuscany 

ifDoriDf tb« elecUoD of Paaod by ih^ votoB of the 
b» dioM ft mieoouor to Uio d«ooM«d uiti'p<?po, ftnd 
ft GftrdEiiftl-^kftMo nunod Albert to the thn^rio of St PoUr 
Tb« DOW daimuit wm« soon dinpoaed cl On thd very dif 
of hifl elevfttiock h« was ftiresCeJ in Itone hy tho fricodi of 
Uift Pontiff mnd wuit vi a pdnonrr tn the* monuter^ ni 
AYarvft. TheodoriCj a wcond usurper of tho Papal aiiUiort}', 
slivixl tTio wEHiT fat47 nStr-r d rcigti of nl^iit three momLs; 
U^ngu&Lfcp Abltol of Fi^rfa, waa the uext &aii-popD mtl 
by the King to be tho f^ncocMor of th« Apo«tlee. Bnixntod 
to the palaeo by the impeml troops it wan not eaa/ to 
oj«ct the introdor without coiiitiDg blooHahcd, and Pftad 
preforrod to mf^ at St Anjrolo rather than [mum over t^e 
bodice of tho «Uin to tho PontiSeal thiona Maingtalfu 
took the title oi SyJv«flter IV,, and although eighty Pontilb 
hav'e QDOoeeded to the throne it is remarkable that not ou 
has Cflkon thft name of tbe Sftiiit tlmft deAccmted by thf 
proQd Abbots Unaeknowlodged by any Earupeao Sovoroign 
■ave the German King, he reigntHi in notiUiry etat«, a&d 
without tt vti&tige of authority, unUI two years after tl» 
death of that moDibrcli. wliom hr. nurvivrui- 

SiNin aftvr hia acceuion faacal lost, io Coaiit Roger ol 
Sicily, one of his stoutest championn, whoife de&iU owmrrHl 
juftt nt a period when the Pope was aorely to nee*i of 8ecuiv 
ftsuatance^ Indeed, the pontilteatc of Pascal wae from Uu 
oatect tno^i unh^ippy and unfiatiafiictory both to himBelf aod 
to the Church he roprc5enttfd. Misfortunen nxtd ditliculti«« \ 
accumulated until, m th^ hietonan relates," he kn<^w uothiog 
but pains and torments, which rendered his lifo only eo* 
continual martyidoni." 

To add to his troublee, tlie clouds of war, which b^ lonf 
appeared in the dJHtance, now gathered, and like n QJmbw 
obecured the horixoD- Hontnurs of the vjutt pr^paratlcaii 
which wfire htiiug made in Germany for a prolong*^ 
campaigo were daily carried to the Pontiff o,nd filW lu'c 
heart aud those of his faithful tioek with uoreet and alarm 



3M 



4 



Henry Belligerent 

Indeed, there was grent can^e for anxiety, for a crtHui wiu 
approaobiDg which was to determine the liberty of tht 
Chareh and of Italy. 

The spirit of cruelty had, sinco Conrad'H rebellion, teVnn 
ti\t itrt /ihode within tie brea.it of the King. Ni^t ftaUhCeJ 
with wreivking his anger npon His own subjects, he hegaji to 
L tDAbure tiis design of subduing Tuscany* a scheme wliich tlie 
revolt of hia son bnd interrupted. Conrad, the proscribed 
bcirof the German Ihrocc, had diod repentant but unforgivoo 
by hi,'L father in the nholtcr afforded him by the woman 
whose overthrow Henry wag now GontempUtiug. No tender- 
liuartod Darid was ho to ynrim ovt>r a rebellioua child, and bo 
far from being softened by his early death, he was th9 mot'e 
Angerod Bgainst the rt*b\tiv<" who had granted him an 
asyhiiii. Nothfng but the complote subjugation or death of 
Matilda conld now nati^fy bin craving for ravenge. 

Acting upon the Apur of one of his mad impulAce, wluch 
from youth upwards baid mastered his judgment^ he gave 
orders to his gcuerala to be ready for an immediate warlike 
expedition to Italy. 

Nearly sixteen years hittd pa.-^cd oway since the German 
loroea had been aignally defeated by the adroitnesfi of the 
Oreat Countew. Koary, whoj<o vindictive nattire had rt- 
inaiui^d nnohanged and unsoftened by time, had never eeaaed 
to rogri^t hiH fntili^ aUumpt to entnip Iuh (Kjuiiin within her 
native fastnesses. Part of the sting of Conrad's inaurreotfon 
lay in the fact Uiat E^ut For the recall to Ot?nnjuiy which hi^ 
i^ttbbltioQ necessitated Tuscany might have leen nddt^l ha a 
jewel to the impeml diadem. During all tbif^ while Matilda 
bad eojoyed a period of almost onintexmptod tranquiliity. 
The nnmerous beuoticiol undertaking which had been 
carried out under her direction had wooricd oven her bordy 
frame. thoiip;b she would not nekuo^'M^e fntiguo. Sht, 
however, yidldod somuwhat le«s roluctantiy than was her 
woDt to the entreaties of her friends in Rome to pay tbem 
a vj»it. Id their cheerful society she <mjoyed a weU-eamed 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



rvpoM Iran tbo cu«a ol goT«nui»Dt, a repovo which vi 
fortan&uly was not of loog daimtioo. Unaware tlut ibe 
h«i! i^rvn mnj tnth eut«e of oAWnce to htx inuciblo ooustn, 
•he did not AOtidpAto an imniodiato rwwwal of ho«tilitici 
iboo^ from fats uua.-riatDly of pitr]v»t! nhct wm^ noi 
altogether unprepared for such a cotitin|;(«ncy. Sbc W 
UfeBnloiv, with a wiae pradeooe created by e^pericDce^ kept 
har outlyiD;^ caatL«s and cttadob prcpar«d for the «veiiti of i 
anrpmu. The inbabitanta of aaoy of the towns had bcccve 
incaQtioiu by th« \<mfc interval of peace ood had aomewbu 
niand tluir vjgilaDoa. Id the abeenee of the Coanteee u 
aid and adviM ftata the panie-atrieken people were throvn 
into a state of hopeleaa eoftfo^on at the news of ttii 
threat^fned invasion and probable inveetntent of tbeir eitia< 
They thoogbtoaly of their owd personal eafety, andanimaUd 
hyadcaireto ooociliate t^ie anger of tlie dreaded EDonanrl; 
they pcepared at his coming to yield a ready aubmitraioix 
Moonbed meenengers were ecnt by the more faithful portior> 
of her people to warn Matilda of the approach of the Genu:: 
army and to convey the :tad tidinj^ of the dlsAflf^ction of tbt 
oitiaeos. The patriotic conriet-a haateocd with incredible 
fpeod along the two handred milcn which lay between 
Florence and Rome, nor did they rest tintil they bod a6ear«<i 
the princees of the preaaEng need for her presence in Tuscany 
With fortitade ready to face all dangars the worthy 
daughter of a warrior race did not allow herself to be ov^r- 
oome by tho news, grave as it appeared Tho spirit of btr 
aires awoke witLiD LardauaUGaa breaat, and iu the hour d 
danger she displayed a resolute calmness that infiiiwl 
confidence into the faiating hear la of her dependaotk 
SammoniDg her knighte who invariably formed her eecon> 
and cheered by the Apostolic btessing bestowed by tb^ 
Pontiff, Bbo took hor leave and hurried to her marqnisate to 
repel the a^Jvapce of Henry. 

Aa beneath the genial raya of the springtide enn th» 
dormant buds nnfold their beauty, fearless of the Jfoea 

)o6 



Siege of Mantua 



bUate wLich throateo tbeir dostruction, eo at Matild&'e 
ftppearaDCe the whole aspect of adati-a andi^rwent a whole- 
some chAnf^e. Tbe glad tidmga of her- cominj^ fipread with 
marvaUous rapidity, and at tl:te news the teniGcd peasaote 
TQntun^d forth hora the hidiug-ploces to which they had 
retrcAted, and jjutrintiniu once morti roHiiined its swny. 
Order and discipline were restored, and the Tuscans, anxious 
to ntODo for their prftviooe lack of co&rage, were loud id tbeir 
demon strfitiona of loyalty and attachment. 

Ab the priQccfifi Todo en horseback at tho head of her 
faithful mcu'at-arms, the inhabitantGf old and jooil^, of &]1 
nmks, camo forth to moot hor^ Tbey knolt in tho stroeta m 
she passed, grateful and happy if they were the proud 
recipients of b. gTaoce or smiJe from the pious and courageona 
" Graode Comtessa/* ob they luved to I'all htr, 

AUs I f^heir lievotioa could not save them from tbe defeaia 
to which Henry's superior foreign exposed Uium at «very turn- 
Unahlti to act on the ofTensive, MAtilda was reduced lo n Berie« 
of retreats, drawing from town to town with the eaemy 
cloec upon her heels. 

Onward he came in certain antici|»ation of victory, 
8preadin£ desolation and rum around him. With u rockleaft 
disregard of life ha devastated the towns And villa^ei; that 
lay in hie path ontil he reached Mantua, where MatUda, who 
woM brought to bay, awaited his attack. 

The intrepid Oount^s, foreseeing that it was Impoaaible 
for liiT to master on army sufRci^ntly fttrnng to arrest 
Honry'a progresti, bad victuaUad the city for a proluaged 
eaege. Secure in her retreat she held out na long 00 elereD, 
or, occordiu; to some chromclera, thirteen, months, to the 
chAgriu of her cousin, wbo had net ccUculatcd upon thja check 
to hie plans. 

So tttrict a watch was kept by Matilda's ^ardg that it 
wa* impoasible to carry th© city by asBanlt, t^d Henry 
began to detrpair of rcdaciug the ;;arriaoD by famine. Again 
■Lod again he seot envoys to creat with bis refractory 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



nlstivst wboM rewnUooa droro faini Dc«rljr owd. She would 
ttooepb no oflar of tonna bower^r geiiiOTOQaly worded, ud 
r^^eUd •Tory proposal vhieh the Maatouu Uid before b^ 
for an honoimblo anrrcDJcr, 

Aftor waiting during & whole n-intor, a&d Boemingly u 
far at ev«ir f rom achi<)Tiiig his object, it became apparent to 
Heory thut tbdfi> wa« no otber way to effect on cotiaoei 
eicept Viy the oonnivftticD of traitors within the city. GoU 
bitcl o|M?iie<l to Liin the ^atoH t>r Itonte, And hi^ trtiftt«J that by 
tbe promi<<ri of liLpgir mtcnn of tnonny Uutm wiinli) be found tn 
Mantua alfto peraoikfl who wer« fulae to their trUHt BU 
eAMariee were not strnting m their giftn, lutd hj promJM of 
fttrbber auppUea aueceeded la awakeDicff the cupidity of tbe 
sentinels. 

In thi> dead o£ nit^ht, whoa the wcnriod i&habitaDta weca 
ODJ^^g a titfol repose, the traitors crept to the gatce aal 
etv&lttiLly opened them to aJniit thij enemy. The hoarj 
GhapUin Donbo, who rehhtes ai leo^tb the htfltory of the 
BJege. waA juatty indijicTiant at ibis treachery towmrdfl the 
prinoseBi who " had ]i»ad(!i1 th« cky with favours and privilefrM," 
He givee vcut to the following InmeDtittioiis wKict chro 
the event: — 



^ 



J 



1* Fatal tivMoo irhieh procIpftAtcB mnchood from ihc atjmmit of its glerj 

to thp Ik^r«L ciF hhai^itf , 
Ob, iToad^Qf thuc an thjr work*. Thou lollMt fidelity, thou MikK 

Minttia, nlmt fiAVO j'oa I«t f 

Formcrlf filled with good CJtthoUci, thoti didat c«1obmo th« ZtMm 

Ohiifll iu company with Ili« fattfiful, and with MoUldft, 

ganarfiiii huirt pixirvd out upojj tbw- * i^Lu of livavflto. 
Neir Uhri don ccUbrniv tlic.^ I):«.>BT]ZT«oUaji cf <^>riit with Otrmu 

hotvtict, f riancSa <jf ihe bottle* Jhod loet in luxaiy. 
Ghj «)int would not L&ve been l^y fflor^, oU StlaaluOf if, hett«r adtiwd 

tbou hikdFt ahnt thiuH eflrlo tha B'tdncUona of King tT<iTuy I 
Thy rtioowo, ihict hoQoijr, vo^ld Ijftvt filled tho uaWvi^v People wculi 

li»ve tallfld theo ' Migbtjf/ tlicy would ha»* called th*« 'Ghriiim' 

thou wotiijtft liav* b*come inunortal. 
It k aol two ye&rs, it w twdve at lout, that thou flhouldflt b&w hnvti 

)0t 




Matilda the Dauntless 



Matilda's aituatioo appeared bopeless to all but her ^vm 
teroic spirit, which did. not quail before this cnishiog 
roiafortune, ao great was her trUBt m the help of Heaven. 

KviiD now nhe gteadily refnsed ta entertuin the advice ol 
hor friends fcu make the tenns o[ sarrender for which Ilenry 
hod waited so lo^g^ Parceivicg th^t there wae no other 
course open to her except flight she quietly slipped away 
from the city in the ntght, favoured by the daikncss and 
fiidod by her koighte. '* At tho hour/^ recorde PcQi£0> 
" whon the furious King enborod Mantua, the soldiers ol 
Matilda made a sortie. Adversity found then and always the 
Great Counteas firmer than the rock, more iadeatroctible than 
the diamond. She was rested immovahle upon the rock, 
where Ood KadbQiliHis Church. It is in vain ahe ia ftanatled 
by waves or beaten by tempests, she dees not know how to 
yield," 

After many narrow escapes from being captured by the 
German spies and oatpoets. she paaaed safely through their 
lines, and crossing the Po reached Ferrara, where she proposed 
to make a stand. 

Reports, which were not alto^thcr unfounded, had reached 
filatilda that the inhabitaate of that city were in revolt and 
only awaited the advent of Henry to flock to hia standard. She 
woanot d^t^rred from her purpo»ie by this iinfrieudiy attitude 
of her subjects. She guessed intuitively that the diEaffection 
wiu but temporary, and that it did cot spread beyond a few 
iurbultint spirits stirred ap by Henry's partisans. She 
kucv that at heart her people loved her, aod therefore 
concluded that her appearauce in their midab would caoee a 
reaction iu her favoar, and she was correct in her estimation 
of their charact^jr, No sooner did she ride up to the gatcii> 
"which were hold 1^ the malcontentB, than they wore at onee 
tlirowQ opeuand the populace poured out^nmasse. Ruahiag 
up to ber horiie, tbuy threw themselvi^K on their ku^ea, aod 
with pveryaign of contrition surrendered nDCondltionaJly 
to her deinenoy. Everywhere the princess receirod the 

P9 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 



ffroeied with 



d 



datlghi. Uitudfnl of Uio bonv^fitH Ui«jr bad reocivvd Atlur 
hukdi ttad Ukoee of h«r &oc«aton. Uio people prof c caed tbear 
dcvotiOQ to Ibcir Sovcrei^, aod wiib ihoQt« of defiance to 
UoDiy dettuoded to b^ Jed against htHL 

IfatildA Moa bad eooittoa to pot their loyalty to the M^ 
but witb h«r pr«»«ooo to At>iiaftt« thcso ibey woro ready to 
Uy down tb^ir hvan In h^e daf^tiCL^ 

NotbiDg oould with^ijiiid such eDlhoaiosm ; the Gzample 
•pnftd rapidly, and there v&s not a man or a hoy but who 
Armnd hiriRi'If in n-jidim^MH AgniDst ibc a^grawor. 

AHt^uif^b'jJ aiiil [XIII founder] ftt ao maoy sucoeedtng 
r ar cim ii. Heary mw the dcAlnictioo of all bis dreazDs 
Ai^^-taiidisomcnt. By prouiiaee of revard or tJireats of 
coJiili^ puiti&iimvnt lit ifidne^ bia ^n«rals to tcra md 
ciuutiao tbo tnutnpho&t Toficoiu. They made s6Ter»i 
apaemodic ^flort^ to r^trk^c tboir fallen forttmoa, bnt their 
niovomcnte voro invariubly followed by «t^a] dofoat 

Stftp by atept in spite of the most Btrcoticufl reeiBtoiice of 
the King, the iovAdcrs were driven back to the foot of Ibe 
Aipa " with Buvh ]oHJ» of mL-n^of officers, amd of tre«.?uTe ah 
diHabloii tihera frcm Rny further enterprise"' "Matilda' 
uigbt with propriety be designated au% ' the pawerful,'" snye 
tbfi bifltorian, *' since fibe ottniocd to tUc plenary dornfnini 
over her hereditary estatee at the very crJdia df the great 
controversy of her ftg«-*' 

The prjttccea had Lodocd the otipromo eatisfaciion o£ c«- 
covcriuj; the land of her forefuthcro, imd by her cocrag:Miu 
defence secured ao honourable and lasting peace for her di»- 
tracted country, 

*^La. grivnde Cointessft" thus reaped the reward of thecoQ- 

Adeiioe sbe liad placed in the faith of b^r Hubjecta, artd with 

gmtefiil heart she returned tib&nlcs to Ood for tbe victories 

which had been acbit^ved with so HttJe Iqhs tif life. 

^ This was the Ktn|f'fi Gnitd venture, and this the laab time 

>6ii JaiQQA 



Stcphi 



ji« 




Henry's Last Venture 




t ho, who hftd been MutitiJA'A en^my for a qtiArter of & 

iur>\ W&& to croea Lor j^atli. Strange to rcUto that in the 
-mriotts encounters which hud t&ken place between them 
luriuj; th&t period the two couaiiu hjid tiovcr cxrJi^m^vd & 
iroix), or^ jndci-d, mot fncci to fskC^, einco their puting at 
OftDoeea hII that Ion;; time t^fSQ, 

N'o longLT culled upon to Iw hor p«opl«'it cbAtnpioo in th» 
^^•M, "the Great Countess '* ceroid hencefort-b derote hereell 
to the devt^lopm<iDt of their fiocitil prognttL The reBWwIor 
at her yeian wore, therefore, spirit in Administering the 

irs of hi-r iiiiin]Uihntn, And in linding mUxMion in tho 
e in which ^hc woe so prcficicnt 

UtnoOTft contJnut^l to be Matilda's favctint« reeldciiee, 
hero flho bold her brilliant court, receiving gncste of eiJ 
ranka of life with the majoetic dii^ty that had ever die- 
tin^ibhod tbo Indioe of hor mother's regiU fiimily. ±>ho was 
at this time in the fifty-seventh year of ber oj^o, and though 
■ho had no premonitory symptoma of immediate docooM, ufae 
iMgan, With the fore3i;:;bt peculiar to her nature, to provide for 
that event which fAllcth to tbr lot of alK She nude ad- 
ditional and mnoiflcent j^nts to the instltntionA hbe had 
foundivl f(ir thi^ mn'ptititi tit Uuf agi^il and infirm, and tnr the 
relief i;f the iiectwutoue. Nor were the youn^ and gifted iif 
her people forgotten in thiei distribution of hc^r wealc^b. She 
gave large auma for their training; in the prmcipl«aof their 
religion, and liberally pro>"idcd for the edncation of thoae who 
displayed any aptitude for leamitig. 

Henry hod, by hin evil coureee and pereonal animceity, 
long alienated the affoetiona of big cooaia and destroyed the 
laat remnant of trtiat in bis honour. She reallaed the faarfnl 
oonseqnences to h^r people, wboae future i^he had eo mneh at 
heart, WL^ra ho to aaiert him^lf heir to the marqniaale. She 
viewed with horn^r the pnwvr for evil which Huch an event 
would be for Italy aud the Charch. and employed ber legia- 
lative talenta to avert ^uch a misfortune. Her anxiety waa 
to pioTide agaiaai diaputca which mi|{;htat her death ariM 

I" 



Matilda. Countess of Tuscany 

bttwttt iho Kbp &ncl tba Ponttff u to tho disposal ol bv 
property, uid which woald oflTord Henry a {pretext ftjtr w. 
Bho Qxbuisied ibe rMOiin«a of Iwr fertile brain fora aolnda 
of thei)ifT!eaUy, AtidfiiMl]y d«c>il«d tnfcJlow the; eoorevib 
Iua] |Mtt>unl b the reign of tt« preoediDg Popfr^Uiat cJ 
m&king s public nkUfiwtioo donDg her lifetinie of tlic gi& 
tkw had ftlreftdy mad* of bar ceUtM to the ChmciL 6j 
tftkiag thb preewrtioD the second tbo u>dopend«noo of Ser 
proyinoofi from Gormao ooutrol, and oviaced her love for 
Hoty Seeby etreagthcoing thebAsdsof the Pontidk^ 
the dooatioQ wu diBpntod by the King, '* on ibe ground 
moet of the fiefs gtven by the ComiteGe were appeodagee 
tbeinaperol aaihority. Tlu'M.' nv&l pretenalotw were anew 
Bpark of war between tlie papacy J^nd the canptre." * Heurf^f 
late dijfcaU in Italy and reourring reTi>tt8 «t home reniartJ 
him Una tiuc nuable to gain hie poiob by attacking MniUdft 
He therefore coubented tumeelf with the attur(uu:e8 of tj 
of tho puoishmont which before long he intcndod to ici 
U|>oo tlxu Fopo ani upon his eooaiu. Moreover, he Mt^ i\ 
this juncture placed in a dc«perato ^tuatit^, from whici h; 
teemed ujaable to extricate bimself, and in which h\A psvk 
nnd &sJf-love were acutely wounded- 

The nobles, weary of hU tyranny and imptoty, gladlj 
wcltximed any IitiuUir wlto would euibraf^ their cause, aw) 
Buoh a one wafi found in the royal household. Searo^dy hMC 
the King nvuDgod hiiaaclf for blie rebellion of Conrad thas 
hie eeco&d bod placed himaelf at the head of the rebala 
entered the lisU a^net him. liertry bad caused the youths 
who was hid t'avcurite and namesn-be, and who. in manji 
TtsfipuctB, clcBdy reeembled bimaulf, to be cro^ncii at Aix'i 

*Pift«oii Tears after "the Great CountOM" had pneacd to her «•!, 
Popo loQccent 1 L , on the pronation of LotJinir, " trab^forrpd tli^ hennfiA 
tothc Empororfor his lifotijur-, ^n payniont of ouo liuiidttd p^iundfi. lotb 
ronUlT ftQil Ilia suGO^«vi(>rS' Evcd thia etipulaltau was QOt il tiwUng oix^ 
ojid a.ItA>T a toiig'cuntiaucd etroLf^lu the ^roAtcr part at tlio jpft vob \} 
arrjimfement oeded to tbe Chuf^U?' 

'Oievalior D'Artaud do Moatof. 

1" 



\ 



Prince Henry Rebels 

'Chapelle ere he had reachetl the age of nineteen. This 
iiDiir^ual step was t&kon in nriler to exclude Coiiriuj, tho 
proacrlbed LcJr, from eucceadiug U> the crown be had 
AttempCed to wrest from hia father. The King reserved to 
hinaeelf the righta and power of royalty during his lif<}tiiDO» 
and, warned b^ csperieDce, CAQeed the pnnoe to tokea Bolomo 
cath that he would not interfere io the afiaJrs of the kungdom 
uutil after his feither'a death. 

This public acknowledgment of young Henry &s n^xt to 
Boecession was a great mistake, and eerved, if uot to create, 
Rt least to awaken in his breast feelings of pride and personal 
jttttlouay of the King. 

During the six years which hwl elapsed ninco his cotoda- 
tiou he had greodJly coveted the "glittering emblems of 
to^aliy" and looked forward with almost feverish eagerness 
fco Llie time when the crown nhouJd grace his brow and he 
BhouM lodeod be King — nay, more. Emperor of tbo West 
This aspriug young prince, now in his twenty-third year, is 
described by n eontemporat^' as being "of a remarkably 
handsome appearance and full of manly enterpriae." Among 
the many enemiee which his father had made for him^lf 
Henry had no lack of partizan^ and in a abort time he 
fcjtind the greater part of the army at his command. He 
waa fully aware of hia father's wuiiing popularity, and of 
tlie nlender graep with which he held tbe sceptre, find tbia 
made htm the more determined to secure the prize f^r him- 
aelt Theoatb he had taken was disregarded, the pUudita 
of the muldtude ejctingutfihad the laat gleam of tiliai 
&£FeQtion, and busbcd the warning note wbich hb brother'a 
tato tboutd have Gonaded in hie ear. So intent was he on 
8mtng the royal prerogative that no meaiiSr however 
jBOwanlly or nnjuEtifiable, were left untried in order to 
attain hid end. 

Wtien Lbe King returned from tbe scene of his defeat IQ 
Tuscany he foiuid Im Aubjeclv in opoo njvolt. Hh waH not 
potncjoewd of much depth of feeling, but he Loved bis son with 

3<1 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

mil the nfToctioo ot which be «m eapabloi Tb^i he. of tH 
chiMreu. ahodld tan igtftinrt turn wm a source oot of mcci' 
thAfrin but of red uofcif^iicd borrow id vrhieb &n^r foui 
ao pUo& InsUftd of rottorting to unkS b» rc«otvcd to ouSei 
ft ]>er«oii&1 appeal to his rebcUioofl child, and with ihia padfic 
idea appointed a plaoa of maotiog oot far from Cobl4otx,0i 
the banlui of the MooeUe. 

Wbeo young Honrjr, m all the pcide aad b^ftuty of cv^.r 
niAnhond, and «lated with a new aeim of |>ower. appeand 
bdfoi^ him. thfi tinhiippy I^ing flung liiiiiDelf tu tliii i^rtbis 
mtk Mffiuy of (frief aud sbama. "Ob. my bod. my aoa!' 
exfiUimed the atrickoQ moooxcht tn faltering aocente wbiet 
•ob» and tears of bruiaed adection rendered olmoat inaudiUi. 
** My BOD, lay Km, if I am to be punished by God for my alu 
at kaei fltaiQ not thino hnootir, for it is uDWeemly in a eon tt 
flit in judgnMnt over his fa^er*a sioa." 

At the aifEht of bis pjtrant kneoling aa a mppliftnt hshm 
him, tbo prince'a better nature awoke within him. Bi 
appcarod to be overeomo by remorse atid contrition, 
the pront^ratd King from htu humble po^itioa, be begged 
forgivvii«»s, and with a friendly caress took leave cif 
wvM^pmg mon^ruTi. 

flvnry hiuiaelF, m a letter which he wrote to Fliilip L 
Frant^e, whose long and inglorious reign was nearing i 
doee, thus deacribae the interview with hie eon : ** As 80C& 
aa I aavT him I was atfect^ to the very bottom of my heart 
ae mnch by patomai atfection as by Borrow. 1 threw myealf 
at bta feeti supplicating and onnjnring him, in the name of iii< 
Qod« his religion and the eaWation of hiR soul, althoogb wf 
aina might hav^ meritad punUhment from Qod, to abstain 
from suDyiDg on my Accoaot his hands, his sonl and hi> 
honour, for never law, bumAD or ilivinG, had autihorised «o 
to be tbe BvengerB of thi> faults of their fabhetg.'' ^ 

Alas E Ambition aitd the inflaen<ae of self-&eekiugco<tn5(^lhi^ 
fioon changed the prince'e feeliugs. Oa their representatro 

3>* 



A Fallen Monarch 



ttefl that lie liwl allowed hifi father iu ^ frw, and 
'^ g&ve orders for hi» imiiiefliflte nrreat and iinprisoiimeDb. 
% •ocmer htvl the Klug congratulate himadf upon ttio 
^tacm of hiB meeting witb hia sod thftn ho wad sarroundod 
^id burried oft to prisonp Qia gaokre woro deaf to all hia 
jtanoBW to reward thorn if he wor^ set at libort)', and cd- 
SftTcnrod "by vi^roas and harab troatmont to ccmpol him 
> ^ga Uis own abdication." 

Driven from bia throne, Henry qnittod GdnaaDy and 
r*Qdor4>d aboui Flanders for several montha, oft&n im> poor 
hat he was forced to neck relief from the Cbim^b, whoae 
pemy hi; bad be«ii. *'Nevar in the days of history," r«* 
Qfukn Donizi), "hM hiimim pnd«^, tho abnss of power, t ho 
ombinAticn of tyranny and weokneaA, been puniahed 1^ 
Eioro cmol degradation." 

Hirt f^on-in-lnw, FrnrleHcJc, oo whom ho had Ixsiow^ 
be duchy of Suabia, vacant by the death of Badolph, luado 
n att^^mpt bf> rally the Qcrman phncea ronnd the faUea 
Cing, but his efforts were in vrun. Honrj-*B mis-iuod ftirthority 
Iftd di>part4>d for cvon Thi? obeequioad nnd esoommuiiic&tcd 
jToIatM, who held tb«ir benofic(t« by i^imony* doaort^ hia 
lauae and stood alool boin iha monarch who had befriendod 
^bem. Of All those whom ho had lond^ with favomnE not ona 
tamo forward to ofTiir him a shehfir or to adminbtar to Uli 
i«ci^tj«& 



S^l 




i 

Oh, 







Death of Henry IV 



d» of whom mention ka^ not yet been made in thtt 

oir, who, had be been awft/o of the Km^''s poverty, 

woold gladly have relieved him — one who had endaavoured 

by bb Qounaels and warnicga to refltrain the aacrilegiouB 

Lteode whieh seized upon the CburGb'e Tevences. *' When the 

l^bls and cro86Gfl of the deceased prelat.pB and Abbots were 

delivered to the King, and by him sohl to ths higheet bidder, 

tbi8 feariess monitor, bim&Glf alio\'G Ijribes, not only refused 

, to sanction such proceedings, but openly denounctid the aitt 

' of which the monarch was guilty." This was Olho, bis 

Chancellor, who for yeara had akiod by Henry'a side and 

I '^ laboured to brin^ his prince to eoatimente of repi>otanco and 

BabmissioD.'' 

In Qtbo, who was aflerw&rde canoniBed, the Kin^ ad- 
irod those virtues in which he himself waA flingnlarly 
doficieoti ''Refiolved to make choice at least of one good 
Bishop/' he nominated the GJisHncellor to the See of Bam burg 
in 1108. The offer, however, waa not accepted by the 
Iprelate-oleet nntil he had jourTieyed U> Rome to have hU 
ConsecraLion ratiSed aJid to receive the iufligniii of hia office 
At the h;uids oE Pope Pascal IL *'Such is the pownr o£ 
ine«kiieas in diaarming the £erce t/ruit," continues ths 
historian/* that Henry's ^occes^or to the throno and to hift 
Antagonism to the rei^'uing PontitTs also inherited his esteem 
for tbe good old Biahop wbc ao fdarjoesly adhered to the 
I Holy See.''' 

' The dethToned monarch, abandoned by his nobles and 
conrtiera, appears to have retired to Flanders, where, according 
to report, be ^cnt his time *'\i\ intriguing agniiiHt the Pop^, 
and in acheniiiig plans by which to regain his throne." 

He died at length in poverty at Li^ge, nt the age of 
fifty*fiix, willi DO {riendly voice to soothe hJa paMiage 
the grave, and unforti£ed by the coosolationa of hia 

on. 
Hia laat act was a magnanimous onu, and hte last words 
^ Albua Botler. 
J«7 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

wtTt Ihoae of forKi^enesa to hie aoo, "to vhom ho d«Qt tL4 
aworr) and rixii*, which oven in hia d&jn ol dir69t porortj 
Mill reUlned u a token of his lov^" 

No royal owomoniM wore obicrvod at hU obsequies, nor 
did biflnnfiliA) child mak(* even wi mitwM-il hIiow of wrruv 
and ragnrt by ntUmclir^z the fmii-nil uf tbe pttrtint he h^ 
dethroDed. He was biiri«d in a stone uoiTin in tiDconsecnlcd 
grcuad and withrmt tlie ritoa of the Church from which bi^ 
bad Mparat^ himu^f by an impenetrable wall of pride $ai 
telf-wiU. 

At Um ttVM of hie death {7th An^^t 1106) Henry hoid 
mgn«d nearly fifty ytiar^, thirty oi which bad b^on spent io 
conflict with Romo and ToBcany, atnigfflee in which botht^ 
Ohnreb and Matildji ramainod masters of the field. 

Thns pruuMTd away the scicn of a mMn rtu^Q of warrii 
and the unworthy desceniant of ChaHemagti^. Thns 
laid low. by h!s nwa |}urfidy, a hrJid which, bub for hi^ iff 
aeii^j^te folly, would b&va worn the iiupenal dituleni. lA 
charity cn*t a veil over the cJosiug iwiMica of a life repJeta 
with lUt? faulU pacuH^ to his nabore, Lut which a juiicious 
edocaUon migbt have checked if not entirely eradica^i 
"Hia virtaes. which were few," aaye hi* Wo^apher. "were 
hta own, and his failing:^, which were many, were tha reaoit 
of hiB early training and belonged to the age in which U 
UvBd." Let Q8 remember only the bravery and tenacity oi 
purpose which he displayed in his campaigns, cjiialitiee which 
in a more civilised centary might have made him one of 
ableet moGarc-hs of his race and a lender worthy of respecL 

Qiiorys was a contradictory character, and throaghont 
his life he exemplified the force of hirt favourita saying: 
"Men hare much and varied knowledge, but oo one is 
thoroughly acquainted vrith himself/' This axiom in* 
proved by the courageous yet sorvtle King, who thOQgli 
always disputing the authority of the Church never dWod 
her teneta *' He believed, but lived as if ho betieTod nottCr 
as if he believed in a Q^pel contrary to her teaching." 

|>8 






Henry V 



* 



From the littla tbiLt w«8 known of the proud und wiltul 
CHaracter of Henry's sncceagor. it waa feared that he ^oaid 
»Jopt tlie same line of olTenaive policy towards the Hoiy See. 
From a sod who deposed and iioprisonad his own father the 
Clinrcb could nob bopo for filial reveronce, sod suhsequent 
events proved that the Vicar of Christ waa not ^rong ia bis 
Aaticipatioua of evil. 

No sooner was the breath out of Henry's body than the 
priuce^ ftwara that his right to the throne was now iuooa* 
testable, dispatched an embody to the Pope, apprising him 
of his a«oe^aion and demariiiing to bo crowned Eiup^ror tit an 
ftarly dnto- "I promise," writes the nowly-madc King, 'to 
obey the Chureb as a Mother and the Pontiff as a weU-beloved 
Fathiir." Theae sentiments of piety and obedience would 
have Im^d gladly hnil^d hy Pascal had they proceeded from 
&ny other Houree. "But expreuserl at such & time^ and 
following HO quickly upon their anthor'e cruel treatment of 
biM faUiE^r, they did not hear the impress of truth." 

All good feeling, however, waa not dead within the breast 
oF tho young monarch. In his heart there beat a chivalroofl 
respect for the character of the *' Great Countess," which 
determined him to seek and socuro hor tricndship. The 
envoys to the Ponti9', therefore, had inatractione to atop at 
Canoaaa on their way to Rome. They wero the trusted 
fewu^rs of a special message to the pnnoesa, us&uring her of 
their Ring's pocifi:; intontiona towards herself, and promising 
in hiw name to regard her mart^aisate as the territory of a 
friend and a!ly- 

Whiie Henry was being sent forth into the world a 
Bolitary wanderer, deprived of his crown by tho cliild ot Lin 
olJecticns* Matilda, happy amongst htr people, " obeyed with 
roBpeot and served with love," was making plans to secnte 
the independence of hor country. The downfall of her 
oocsin, who with all hia faults had been so dear to her 
mother, was a matter of no small ^ef to her. Hie death, so 
far from being considered as a relief, wait, under the dis- 

V9 



Pascal and Matilda 

at thfi grafriotis reoeptifiD ftccorcj^d to them by tho 
iU«H, and &v/a,Te of hor influoDCm vith tha Huly See, 
onaidered the Fouttifs ^ircAence as Aa aijgury of ancceee to 
boij minion. 

Uofortunfttely. PftacaL'a nerroua tompeitttD^nt gained th« 

A9Q>idcDC7 ovor hie courage, and hd now hesitated on hie 

• ifWU roflponmbility to oomply with the Kln^s deeiro. Id aq 

tvaciTe raply lio ovorthn^w nil MjilildiL's argtundnU, wUieh 

.aftd appwr«] so vei^bty but a ohort time before. To bor 

nexprt^bU dUAppointtnont be stated tbut be would conven* 

W Sytiod early in the following yenr to coiieid«ir tbrr m^ttRr, 

Bod with tbiM uDsatififnctcry ending to Uieir interview the 

Ibdv(^« were forced to remain ontc^nt- With many eaprQ»< 

Honfl of respect tbey engaged tor tUoir uionvcb tbat b« 

priiotild be prepared to come to Rome at tbc ond of alx montbe 

,^ abide by the PontitTs deciaJon. 

I AlatUdm who never droamcd of such a frn^bratiOQ of bor 
QlOiMflt iTAtf amasMd at thU iodtancc ol racillation on tbc part 
I of Pascal- Sho trusted, however, tbat on reflectioD be would 
giTe* more deSnilc anawcr to Heory'a couHf^naly- worded 
nquMl Id crdar to fpve biin an opportunity of reconnider- 
Ing bis moaaagCf th« Counteaa invited the no leaa d:£appointed 
AnbaMiadors to renuiin at the cattle nntU the follo%>dtig day. 
Silt the morning brought no further change in the Pontics 
datormination to refer tJie matter to his council, aniit ih« 
envoys, Cllfxl with wonJur at Ihd ina^ntticeucB of UatUda'a 
Court, and " lod&n with presonU*'^ retired well x>l«MOd with 
the boepitAlity she had afforded them. 

Tboy had, howovor, reckoned withont th«ir Kinfir, wHod^ 
rMtleee spirit wonid brook no mich delay and unccrtamty* 
Be de«p*tehed throd cmba»aiee, one after the other, to expedite 
nalttra with the Popo, who bad r(ftum«d to Rom«, and each 
Ijmagbt back a repetition of th« measa|;e delirend to the 
envoys at Oanoesa. 

With an imi^U^nrie whidk joatjfled MstOda'a fcva for 
hiN loyalty to thn Holy 8a«, Henry maile pftp i» tiope for no 
X lit 




* T 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

tDcnrdoD into It&ly, determiDod At tb« point of tho «tronl \t 
obtoia from tb« Pontiff tb« right of wiolditi^ the imperii 
■e^tro. Toon6of P«»oal'iBe&sitiv« di9po«itioD tboprotpccc 
of 9t proloQj^d ciogo voi to fonnidabto that to «ec»pe froD 
th« borron bis tiiaorovi utDd depleted he auddonl}: rotrru^ 
to Ptuiml Pbflip X., trho«» roign of DOArly half a ecntnrt 
w&a drAwtDf; to Hm cIom, bftd been r^oonoUed to Iho Ckurul 
from which bin immrimlity bud iwpar&ted htm, aad eriDO^' 
hk coDtritioD by eiteri'iitig iTj^ hmiil of weli^me to tha e^t 
Stcrnnt m thn proU^jlinD of Lite King from the vioUotre 
Henry, the Poabfi convened in his rofnge vanotis Cuuncik 
ftod in them boldly coofinned tbe laws iMnied by hia prV', 
deceeeore agMnet eimony and inveetitnre, 

H vn r y» ba via ;; np j>u r^; q tly n bdbii d 0ll4^d hi A project ol iarftdof ' 
Italy. FfLscJi], rt'Uovcd of IJe f^ara, rotomod to Bomo (IIW^ 
ftfter &a abBenee of neu-ly two yean. So ^eat wetv tiii 
rtjoieiogs of the pecipUat bin home-ooDii&f^, and so thrcatm- 
Ing their attitudt» towatdft the auU-pope, the lato Abbc4<f 
Farfa, that ho fled precipitately from the throne on wLiot hi 
hi%i\ hatin phioed by ttte lata King of Oemany. Lik» hii 
niAffter be envied hw liaya in exile an<i pc^v^rty, but nnlikf 
him be bad the RUDsolation of bcttig recnudletl to th^Charcli. 
Ha bogged and obbaiDed the PoutitTe fDrglveoe^is ere 
paeeed&way, " Umentiiig with bia dying breatli tbecrimeei 
which he nrowod himsetl' ^tUy." 

Restored to hia throne, Puscfvl n&turatly looked forvnrd 
to a poacoful pontificate dcvobod to tbo development of 
Churoh govermetit and to the oauee of religion. &losi ^ 
bii trunqiiillity wan but of abort dnratioo, Hentj had n^lt^B 
abandoned, but only deferred, bie project, probably froifl ' 
Dnwitlingiiefis to effend the French monarch, under whose 
protecticiD the Pontiff had pUoed himaelf. No sooner bd 
Pascal Bcmewb:it arraoged affaira at St Pdter'e. when the neim 
tiiat the Kiti^ was at the city gatt?H, fur tbe purpose of bein^ 
crowned as Emperor, fell like a bombahell upon tbe pi 
etricken Pope. 

jaa 






Henry V. in Italy 



During P&Bcare exile Heary Lad be&u pushmg forward 
hie prepArations, and no promptly wevo bhey cxectitcd, tbut 
beforo Avarning; could bo eeut to the Pontiff the Gt>rmau 
Dncy, wiih the Kin^ at the hond, hnd orueeed the frontier. 
His frieodly overtures to Matilda had beeo aooepted hy her 
ID eucb good faith that ahe no logger kept har eubjocU iu 
readiness to act on the defeiieive, and ehe waa tborefom 
totiilly unjjrepartfd fcir war. Before nhe could arganuo any 
Teeinl^nce to Ueury's apprtiaob li© w/is already on hl» way to 
Rome, With remarkable eaii«Id«ratioa for tlhb Cotmteea lie 
had made & detour m oidor to avoid the damage to her 
oullirated lands* which the paaaing of a Urge army must 
HGOc^iaAriJy entail. It wu« cTJdont to all that th« fiing 
eiatiortdy deaired the friondghip of the pHiioeBB, and he 
tliroatoDod hid mon *with instaiit death for aoy Tioi&rtion of 
her property. The TU£caD8 had eerioue cauae to be f^rateful 
for thiR onDoetfsiou, for their ni^ighbonru did not ftira aa well 
at Udury'e handa; while his aoldierH respected the diiea 
which belonged to Muttlda, tlie bowmt and oaatI»s of thoae 
■vho opposed the rnareh of the QerinaD forces were delivered 
over to fl^LTire and pillage. DevasLntion and ruin marked 
H«nry'a track, and the iuhaliitaute who eacap*;d from t1i« 
buruiug viliagoB created a widesproad ponio by their vivid 
desisriptioae of the horrors they had undergone, CouvijlBed 
with terror, the fortified town* un the way to Uoicie opened 
their gntea without attempting ^oy defence agaimit the 
pAB6age of tho inconncd monarolL, who pasaod proudly on his 
way to the Capitol. 

It was im|>09»<ible, under the circuurgtanecfi, for tho Pope 
to resist the KiDg"^ d«mand for nn interview. But tJiongh 
brought to bay in bin own palaue, he proved tliat he had tbe 
oouragn of his 0[)nviGtioDs — a couru^ wldoh, alas \ wan b&t 
(00 evananeent. Tti apite of thi^ ii]onarch^» uiejiiu^ra jhnd 
ddflont altitude Pascal would not comply with hia deMim 
tinLflM he first plcd^oi hiiuaelf to renounce the right of con- 
ferring oodwoEtical iDVcstiturea, The Kitigreplied byfilluig: 

333 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Ibfi IiaII with liw Boldieitt, a ditp which fa« cftlcaltUvd wonU 
cv«r»w« Ihe Pontiff, whoao timidity wfta but too appanob 
PSndinjjf that PoocaI, &lthoi3^h on the rcrgc of Iftiolbi^ 
f«ouun«d firm to Iua rcsolro, Hc&ry gftvo ordere for his ftntfkt 
Mkd al«o thfti of ao^h " Cardii^a, Btahope uid ooblos u woe 
dittiofiiiibod for th^ir AttAchmoottotlw Holy See-* "IbBy 
of th« d^Tgy," w« ftre told, "vere ehAmefuUy troitt«d, tU 
tilrcr cm»*nt wr<*nched from their huids and their spl^luiH 
v^mentA turrj LifT tlieir backi,'* 

Two nxcvpticins h« m«r)n for Hntilda'a s&ke ; the^ «?rv 
the BIshopH i>r PI&cwii£a Aiiii Re^^io, whom he relented lifui 
treaUKl with more dcirrrncc thtiu he paid bo tho Hecul of th»t 
Church U> which he profcascd to belong. 

Cloouty giir\rdcd by the cioLdiors* the oaptivea were mandiei 
off to the camp without the walls of Rom€, thore to be 
dei&iniy] acbil thoy ohould ftgree to the ternw the Kisig 
dictated 

Ttid Romaii8i almoflt beside themselvea with wrath at tb? 
imprisonmeDt of the Pontiif by the German Kin^, ^thered 
in litrgQ crowds in the vicinity of St Peter's, geatienlating 
wildly and threatening the imperial troops. The latter, 
goaded at length into retaliatioD, sorrouuded some nf the, 
aggreasom. ond were eoon enga^ei^ in a hftad-to-hfiDd Mtrog^de 
with the infariatdd citiseoe, «nd for a time the result 
appeared to be Qucertain. Henry, on hearing the upro&r, 
quickly appeared upon the scene of the disorder and, at the 
head of hia personal attendonte, cleared a paseage through 
the crowd and oame, not any too soon, to the aaeistaiice of 
hie soldiers. Standing up in his stirrups, be chared tho 
mob with his lance, and lifter " tranefixirtg as many as 6ve at 
one time " received a blow in the fao« which caused him to 
reel ami fall off his hor«e. It iwented, to the obeervere, that 
Heniy'a career waa ended, and but for the timely aid of a 
liable of Milan it ceitaiuly would have been. Had not thai 
knight a.3Biated bim to mount his own horse ho would 
probably have bees torn to pieces and his fio&b thrown to the 

3»4 



'mpnsonment of Pascal 

doge, the horrible fate which* according to an hifltarion, 
aobnallj overtook his generone preserver^ 

The iiQpori&l foreos^ maddoned by witnoBBio^ the fall oE 
their iQ&dor, eav^uly attacked the popuince, whom they 
drove back at the point of their ape&ra. 

Undeterred by their repulse, the EomaoB imiBt«red 
together in large bodies and ventured as far as the German 
•ncairipraent, and daring the night made several brave but 
fruitless attsmpta to release the PoiitiO' and hie compAoioiiE. 
The King, Fearing \e»i Pascal shcuM escape, caused him, 
together vntb his friends in miefortUDe, U> be removed to a 
strong fortreaa about thirty milea from the ciby. Here they 
-vr^rc immured, we learn, until Taacal became so ill th&t his 
fellow prisoDere, faaring that longer confinement would 
«ont him bis Ufe, besought him to yield to Henry's 
demands. 

A thrill of horror ran throngbout Italy and Germany 
when Henry's audacious act became known. "Even the 
eimoniacal prelates and p^e^ta^ who held their posts by favour 
of the crown, hung aloof from him, and no German Biahope 
repaired to the King except Conrad. Archbishop of 
Baltsberg/' 

After fifty-five days o£ imprisonment (from February (o 
April 1109) the Pope, more from sympathy for his cooa- 
pamoDs than from fear oE bis own safety, signifiod hb 
mtention to come to a compromise. Permission was granted 
tc Henry to give investiture, with the ring and crosier, to 
Bishops and Abbote of his kingdom, "provided that ths 
tUction 'W€L»fTte and not f-fftcted h-if gitrtony*' ''There is no 
h^refly/* wiys Baronius, '* in making the reserved concession to 
which Paacal conaanted. But to maintain that it is of right, 
and to declare that laymen ought to give investiture^ which 
Psacal never did — would be heresy. In auch wise a falae 
dogma would be iutroduced into the Ohurcb repugnant to 
recogniaed customs, bo the sacred institutions of tho Fathore, 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

Mid to tho opimicoi of m&ny wrttcri who hoTO d^foDJeJ 
Pw»L" 

TBq King, howovor, d«o]mr«4 htiutoU iAtisfied vith tlrii 
balf vietory And loadQ m Uitjoipbftl ^Qtry into Rom« vitJi 
pA&cfi1,wl:ioAlre«(ly r^pent^dofhuccno&asion. The pr^eo» 
of tbo (>«rtnan troop* utcnv provit&lod tbo iudi^nsuit dtizeoa 
froiD living vent to the anger wliioh cwnsnmed tli^m, uiil 
In rilenco the procoavioa »lovrly vronded itn w&y to St 
Petor'fl. 

Tbe Kia^, after tfikin^ the oftth to ''defend the Churdi 
Q{£ttinfftall mon" wa« then crowned, ftod content with having 
ttttftinM his wiah, took roepectful Wvd of tbe Pontitf, when 
ha h«4 troatod thus eumDaArily. 

"Th« motiftrob/' remnrks th^ historiAn, "forced by Ih© 
voiy power of th6 Hoiv Ste tw knei^l before his victim, who 
cruvrnnf! tnm, f Unplnyni] At imcn thn right of tbe Holy See and 
the Bf-ntimeiit of [jitrdEJU vrUicU auimat^ the PouLiff." 

Although the tbeolngiann nf tbi> imw dt^fvuded bifl acHoa 
in ihb matter, Puflcal himself was, aa tbe chroniolea i^mbi 
Qi» "his own «eTere judge" &nd to the end of bij r«tgn hftj 
aodeavonred *'by aubjecting himself to tiuattre penatic«cto 
r^pftir hia urror" Couiicil after council wixg convened, auddt 
«Bcb of theeo decr«ea were passed againet tnveBtitnre, bat 
aUbi I at thu throuteiit^d appauruitoe of Henry the courage of 
the Pope gave way and they vere withdrawn. Pascals 
death, in January 1118, jnst nine jears later, endad bin 
vacillating policy, and hia pontifical burden slipped from im 
weary sLouldera for ever. 



3=6 



The Emperor 



CBAPTEB XV 

like vbleta fad«d were bor cjn^ 
B;^ thifl w« kaaw IImC aitMi vaa dhid j 
Aad lh« wind wa^ likv Uiv nonnd vf wiQ^Bt 
Ab If ang^k camv to lieiir kvr Kva^ ; 
Ah I wImd J ■&* jLod fall tb««o Uiinsv 



1 fonod Jt difficult to ilAy/ 



LovarvLLow. 



Ik Tti&cftiiy the nowa of tho Pbps'A impnBcnun«Qt oftnsed 
nnlvoTVELt c<^iitttdrtiat]ou, And ttto Great Gcmntta, wlio lit^l to 
wartnly upheld the dJgcUy of the papftJ throae, W&0 jcattj 
indign&ut at the treat&i«<iit to wlifcrh Fuac&I buJ been 
subjr^nterL Ere sbe eonli) [n«ko dirfmStR ArrmiigAQiif^U to 
como to bill succonr a bQavii>r )>low fell upoD bfBr. from tb« 
crOdtuog effects of vbich lior health aad spinte nDV<»r 
i^oov^red. At tirat hLo r«oeivo<l with inorddtility the ropOft«i 
which roacbod b«r of tho Popo'a Tieblinj; tho poi&t for whidi 
hU pr«i«e««aora had anffsred and died. A m^^^a ttom 
Baiii7,hovr«T«r,oonTa7ing th«n6Wfl of btecoroQAtioDaDdof 
fab iutentioo to pa^ her a vlift on his way home to GarmiDy, 
pjaood thtt iQiittvi bojfmd all pombility of doabt. 

Afl Boon as tho leiif^thy (»;rt9monialB were md^d^ tfa« 
Emperor, elabod with btji nciwl^-oo^tnirvd digmty, [)roce«d6d to 
Toacaoy to tutkv the acquaiutaDce of hia motbara friend. 

UuccrUtin hi^vr orciDia bad aodod in Roma^ rD*" Heorj was 
o& hie way ero the coTirien bad been deapatchod by tho 
Poutitf to apprinta her of what hmA happeoed, MAtUda had tto 
aaaaraboe whether h«T relaHro oama in tba oharwitar of 
foiond or foe. Sbu, therefore, aa a pr«cautiooary moutirt^ 

J»7 



"P^^nd 







fiCiJi 



.•^'^O^/Bi^".^" 



Out 



P«o 



ot^ 






^:e^!^ti!^ 



10 



^^'^Aie 






typ 



"oii/j 



^a A*.* 



e^f 



'^^t iwa 



*Oi»A»t 



The Emperor at Canossa, 

the LnjiibW ADd misfortunes which they h^ hroUffht lOi 
their trnin* She wne aUll hcj^utifu) ami roUined, In ft 
wocdtirEtil degree, that iGgaA coartQay by ivhich &h« so 
ati^ngly impressed hor per&onoiity opon the beholdoE*. 

Long and almost rercreatJy Uemy i^zksed iifK>n the 
ttnugbt lusd regular features which hftd booD bo often 
L dwcribed to him by the j>;rateEul Bertha. He notod the 
broad ttmooth brow from which the haiTj whitened with years 
uid Hcrrow, was drawn back and condsed by a carODet, ruiind 
vhic^ ii waa gathered about her shapely head. Her dark 
«ye« hnA lo^t flcmewhat af th«ir Are, bat from them atill 
aboae fortli, when roueed, the aplrib uf her sires. They were 
Eubducd ar>w to a Had though tf a Inese, and t«ar9 brcrmblcd on 
tiiejr bflhtis as sho looked upon the mooly figure of her 
impctuoua yoting relative, the only tie of blood which 
wroaiaed to her. Her dreas. like ererything which sur- 
rounricd the Collators, woe clc^aaU and displayed in ita 
4mnjfemont the artintic tatft« of the wuartr. It waa mfrdo 
ot ooetly mfttcrial according to the fashion of tho day, and 
was tmadDrued except by paarla, truly symbolical of hqr 
chaNtity and goodnesw. 

flejuy was charmed with the graoioos bearing of "Tji 
Oraittlc Coiutcmu," with whose pet^unal uttractuiitH and 
military skill report had made him famUtar but whom ho 
now brheld for the first time. The conversnUon of the 
princeae eqnally delij^bted and enlrmaced the Eiuperor, whoM 
iatoUMb was of no meiw order. He was not aufikiently 
■oquttntGd with Italian to exproas hie thoaghts tlucntly is 
that langua^, and therefore spoke ia German. UatUda'a 
patriotiam, however, wae oDdimi&iahed by tamo and ag« aod 
wocid allow hor, as Bh« emiliugly expliunod, to antwer him in 
no other than her native tongue. Thu direct evidence of 
hovlomtfor Italy, fnr from diftpleaalng Henry, enabled him 
tOimd«nUuid the intensity of that devotiim Against which 
aft againet a rock hie fattier bad UurleO himaelf in Tain. 

The Bvperor waa astomahed, as were all straugers,ai tha 

P9 




Matilda "Vicegerent 



» 




with which ehe had eluded his grasp. Harl tfa«» 
OOBfliiiA inert, he miia&J^ nuder more favournblv dmitm* 
oeA tlj&n at the ticur of hamiliAtJuD, the moiiorch^e nobler 
re vould hav» be«n awakeQeJ i«iid bfi vrould hiiTe Iwcn 
^red £rcm hioiaelf. Directing his thougbla into otlior 
|K Oanni^la than thotte of vice and reTenge he would hoiTo 
|^|Mttb A popular and happy king and fathf^r, and h^ft 
Wf^ti behind a niuni» rcvurod and honoured by his poflt^fvity. 
t^ Henry calkd to tni&d oJeo. witb a feeling of self* 
^tpbraidmj^, that it wm thv Countcui who bud ebelterod hit 

t 'brother Conrad when dying in axUa for the faalt, the »xainpU 
9£ vhiA ha hicDBolf had followed 
Thn« meiiitatwl thfl Fmppror, nti. with a r**grf*trnl 
j^ratrcHpect o( hia own uiiGiiul cMinJuut, hiv HtfttrtiBd tu tbe 
silvery tones iu which, in soft cadouce, Matilda made melody 
of her native tongue. 

During the throo daya of bis stay at CauoMa LieBry 
entered bto i%n agreomeat with the priucaait. in which be 
Dot only promiAod to respect her torritoric« but also named 
h«r bia " Vievflierent " in Lombardy. For yunra the reatloM 
iDhabitnutR of thut prnvinco bad hanuvaed and annoyod tho 
Tuscana aad involved tb^m in quarrels and repriaala lea<itng 
to loM of Ufa and property on both mdoA. It had beao their 
otiNtoni tn tbd name of Germany to mako doprndatory 
inonr«iona datnarding men and money to fortfaer tba 
imperial caune. The Emperor bad now beoLtme Matilda's 
ally, nnd nhe had hia fall i^nnBvnt t» dcuil paimmnrily with the 
malignaota who infringed upon hor righti^ 

Heniy'a visit was thus the boginning of a brighter epoch 
for the Oounteaa. Believed from all fear of lorcign invaaion 
abo waa now free to relax hdr leng-enatainedvigUaDOa Sbo 
waa at hberty for the firat time for years to givo bor 
thoughts to peaoefal ptirsQita and to pass the re- 
mainder of her life in works of pnblie and private beiia- 
volenoe. 

" Maauuliue of undaratandiiig thou^ Matiida undoubtedly 

151 




BJ'S. ,? '''« ««.)>..,' Projnj 



A Noble Character 



^Mt humblo hearths and mBJiy « legend woa wovoo around 
^ 7O name of " L& Gr&nde ComtossA." ^ 

^- Ab& ripplo in the writer will wid«n imd crpo^id until it 
j^^ftobes tho farther B,hor% so vvUl Uio mfluenoe of V&tildft's 
^^C«ttipIiLry life of virtae and of chftrity oxt^nd to futuro aggo 
i^ an illnstrfttion oF the words of our Dtvind Lord, "She hftOb 
yODO what she could/' While her acta of heroism nnd 
i-4AMotic fervour have secured the admiratioii BEtd Jove of lier 
^onotry^nea For oil time, m Leaven aIso will her tncfmnrinl 
^le found. Her Ddiue. untamiahed by pergonal motives, will 
inscribed m letters of gold by the angets who record the 
on« cf those " nflod and f^thfol aervantfl *' who desire " to 
t«r into the joy of their Lord" 

Hor pi«ty waa thd source of h«r etrcngth, and it was this 
hinh eBducd her with courage to boar with e<iaaDiin)ty tbo 
U> whioh her birth in a period of turmoil and ttrifo 
htr. Her tionbles and the many triaU wbich w^ro 
den from mortal eye never depreined her, and to th« very 
lutt tha fAinily ehronicler records her iinfallinjj; eheerfnl&eait 

Living in the miilntof n seiui-harbnrin ni\d ncrinuoun age^ 
■be kept aloof froui iU< t^mpU^lionB and aedtjctiiona. and by 
purity and iin«e1liahne« ha« left « pattern fox ns to 




In the cnim evening of declining ago Matildft hAd Iciann 
to connect the links of memory and to ponder ovet tba 
evenUi ol her active careen The retroHpcct ^mabled hor to 
realise with p^titude the care ^itb which Providence bad 

^Th« folTovitjK mrntiTc, ctjiitled *^ W&l«r for Bald II«Mli,* vhicb 
appcand in tht sian^^ai TinHf for SAth Au^iat 100^ D«ariy vig^t 
ceotoric* after Mat jldA'BclonUi, timf Mire w aa waayle of the in>np<r in 

t*Ti|-Hr4<ird i^nple ar*advv«d " b«j|o loOMdaaa m Nortb IiiLj^tct«a 
tbc TiHucfc ot Ei« wal«ns vKtch an rpput«d to be naliiral b&ir reatercf^ 
eoimllj oftfMtbU ci mt'^rinjt ^ir to tLc bUd an^i pliinu^ toaak«d liirda>* 
Tartv u » iFEulitiDD that w tbo clovcaih ccatutT' ihv prl bUokbird of the 
CouiitHBilat»kdahadlo««aUil«featb^batr«OTvor«dll«pIunia|rt aJt4ff 
bathiof ia the manhetfif fTMiriefifc The bird'* eaaiapU vu Uiio-w^ 
hy tbelB<li«eoth«rCe«rt,wb««e hair waa Jcrtaily inenaacd ia qautitj 
and beaaCy, Mid who«e book* becane ^tnau^ and more yooLlkf oL 




9* 



Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

gnidod bor rt«p« in the tortaonfl p^tha ihjroQgh \rhich b« bti 

ThiTTti wmM one tbiug, how«T«rr, wltldi «idc1*fu«<) hfr . 
th<ni([hl«, and which %\w t^mriKl b> hAvci nlterw) «rt ihi \ 
piund "intu tho Ttill»^ trf Ute vbadow of (It-ntb.'* Tht 
noaiiui of her connn Iloory, aaforgivvD hy tho Church bo 
b*d robbdd tuxd insulted, jet Uy in uftoooeec railed grouod 
Thovgb for the Uct thbtj jottm of bi» lUo bo had been b«r 
luirtiLenticig eaumy, alio oould n9t for^^el th^t her tnotbor hed 
Iotm) him and that his faithful Qoooa bn^ cluog to bim 
until death «ik<QD«d the throbblDge of ber achijifp beert. 
The friendship which the jOQD|p Bmporor had eo 6c^ 
«xt«adod awoke withio h«r Weaat the feeliag* of kiotfn^ 
and clie h&*\ a vinh tbjtt hi* futher's body nhould uo Inugu 
r«ii^nin diiihoiiuurt^d, litit btf pl&c^il ity tho Atdtf of tha p«lienb 
Berthn. " 

W)lh the niagnaDinntj wliich was one of Imr niiafad 
iiiticii tho Coiint«4S nndr; An ap|>cal to Pn^cnl on Lohalfof hit 
relative, aud besought Iiim to remoTO tho P^paJ iotctrSct 
The eutreaty, cobiid^ from aucb a f^ricice, could Hiit fiul Ic 
obtain a hearing:, end tbu P[>ntitF yielded lu h^^r roqueet Tho 
princeaa at once nppn»ed tbo faithiiil Utho, Biahop of Bftm- 
bnr^, vfho htid long lament^id tbo excommunication of fail 
Km^^ that tho seatence was romiltcd. 

The ramaina of the deoeaa^d monarch, whiob for fiv« 
years had rvcted in a atone C'>fBnj were tfterttfore remoT»d 
from unhallowed groutid and coLvt*yed to tl>e iutperial rtnii 
of hifl anceAioi-s. Thia was in Uie Catlicrdral of Spirea, whtfik 
hiiJ Iweu built oo the ail^ of a tample of Venua by Couiadf 
the foundi»r of the dyuaety. 

Blowly the proceaaiun, with the body cf tbe lat© King in 
its mjdflti wendod its way through the str&eta by whicb 
thirty-flvo yeara previoitely ho had etoUn ae a fug:itftve tc 
CanoBsa. The awe-etritok aod ailent crowd regarded with 
sorrowful inter^t the coffin whic^h contained the forg:v«t 
child of the Church, to vhoae tender hoeom he wai 

534 





Illness of the Great Countess 

h TMtorod and whose praters vruuld now bd oflend for 



^ 



On its vny to tbo higli ftltnr> before which the obfl^iUM 
^Vttftabout to be ocl^bratod, tho coH^ffn panKod by the ofligic^ 
b :^if former noToraigns^ including thiit of Uolf/ 111. of pioua 
|fe fQdDaory. To the oniookors tboir gazo Appeared to teat with 
^^toDj 0»Terity upon the Emperor wbo in bia haste to gr&sp 
t^4lM orown, hnd «triok«D hia fftth^r bo the grove. 
^ With all the oeremonift) duo to his rank th« body of 
I 'Hcitry IV. fimnd a mating-plnco b^ the tidd of hU Que^in, 
i. who liwi b««n merotfnl)^ spared the knowledge of her 
huiilHind'ia di^wnfutl. 

Probably UnLtlda v/tis one of the trueat ntonmi^ra of the 
lato munurcL. and befons hi^i altar at Canciiwa herpitiua boart 
e^oed with fcrroor the prajen whioh far away Id Qennatij 
were being tm'td over hiet renaainr*, Tho voidfl in her Jifo 
oau§od by the doath of hor eartv fricnda and oounaellore tk&d 
&et-er been dlled, tind ahe waa b«^nniug tn feel the weiRht 
of hor j^aare. Tho ardoona dutiaa of her g^rcmmunt, which 
aha disoharj^ed with the utmost exactitude, b&^an to fatigue 
the tmrdy frnmo, which hnd hithcirt<> rturpondud so willingJy 
to th^ incessant denuinda npoo itfi strength- The vaUant 
Coiintrw, who for ntoro tban forty yi.^iLm biul wielded tbe 
■ word in dt^rciire of Chun?)] a:id cuuutry, w«a auddttuly, in 
tbo ociuntcmatioi) of all, Uid iipnu a bed of aickritwii, 

Tlie homy fan]ily diaplain. overcome by emotion at tha 
•ifht of Uatildaa snffenng, allows his feelings to bo showo 
in tho ejacuUtor>* vers^v. of which tho following la a fraa 
transUtton. In thorn ho prediciA tho mi8ibrtua«a which will 
follow when the illneea of the princess ie made pabli& 

" [t i« fnr lh< glory of bhjr Chtirob, O Gliri«(, that Uatflda has feufh^ 

iinpiouk priuoM and rftb«[Iiniu towiu. 
Bnt aaw UiQ new ibat «hc I* lU ^vm hope to the wicked 
Matilda b 111 ! O !^^ Chrita^ hf*r na ■ Ood hat* mtnrj on •■ la ear 

dkLnm T Oijn lifa anil htalUi ia oat oobl* lad; Matilda. 
Wh^wiU thtltar Ufc« naked 1 wl» viU prv4«ai Uit 1abmi«r sad his 

plough I vho will a^nre him at tli harmat I 




^Ut4^^ 



_ ■*'«T/jg (I, . , tijev 
-^, ^^^'i and tk ^^i 



A Finished Career 



open before thee, aud we are ready to take oatb th&.^ we will 
not oifcnd Again." 

Mo7od to tears at the BJgbt of their evident distroaa and 
oontritton, Matilda forgave them unconditignally jVQd sent 
them to their bomee much relieved id mind at being let off 
BO iighUy from the c baa tisement they merited. 

This was the last public appear&uceof the *' Septuagenariui 
JoH,u of Arc/' b»t in such dreiul was* she held by tho <ii»- 
ftffected thjit^'long after her death tbe puople tremhled at 
the very name of the ' Great OoDute»i/ " 

On her homeward journey, and when within only a few 
milts of Caaossa. ahe wag overtaken by a return of the iUnCBS 
from which she had scarcely recovered ero her expedition to 
Mantua, Whun she reached the villogo cf liondcno, norur 
Rcggia^nhe resolved to make a prolonged stay, hoping that 
tbo hoalth-inepinng air of the plains would restore hex 
failing strength. She bad a great wish to be apareJ {at tha 
consecration o£ the new church she wa» building* and which 
wau dodicated to 3t Jamea, for whom she bad a itpecial 
devotion. Alas! it was not to be. The hour of tho "Great 
Oo^Ilt4^'1:l '* h^id ccirnn ; Italy whg bo lose her brave defander, 
and tho Church a pious and devoted child. 

The princess berself realised that her career wan ended. 
No moro should she behold Uanoasa, the cradle of her sires, 
each stone of which was endeared to her from past associa- 
tiona of her beloved parents and holy friends. " Her vigorous 
frams, nourished by simple living and hardened by a 
Uiouftand fatigues and privatioDS from whidi a veterau 
might have reeoileil. was now,** wails Doniao, "prostrated 
beyond all hope of rally.'* 

Though endowud witb a princely patrimony, Matilda had. 
Ihroughout her life, denied to herself the comforbi wiLh 
which it was her pleasure to surround others, Notwith- 
•taading that she lived -in an age of unrestrained appetite, 
fihe observed si simplicity of diet tbat almost amounted to 
ousberity, aud daily at her well-epread table eet an ex^mplo 



Requiescat in Pace 



£(r€at trial of ber fortitude. 8h(i alone, Lowovor, remained 
calm amiiist tho wooping crowds who thron^od her chambdri 
anxioue !c»r a word or gciile from their lady. Donizo, whose 
trecibLicg limb? conid soajN^e support hie feeble framd, 
eiidea.voared in vain to comfort himself by tbe &9Baraiicv< of 
0DOfL jominj; Ui& Woved prmcei^s. 

The trying ordeaJ over, Matilda beggerl the venerable 
Buihof^ uf ^ggi^> ^^^ WOH m c^tDAbfLut atbeudunce* to 
admiDiiitfir to her bbe aacro-ment oE Extreme Unction, and 
with a tender staUQ upon h«r pallid lips composed herself 
for death, 

The sorrowing; Donino, in tearful plaint, thae describes the 
lost momenta of hie pupil and friend: "She kiased tho 
crocitix, pronouncing these suhlimo words^ ' Oh I thou whom 
I have Berved so well, serve rae dow !' " 

So calmly euded the eventful life of Msitilda that her 
friends, waiting to hear the p*irting words from her smiling 
lips, were unaware when the last moment &ime. Without a 
High or regret Jier pure houl winged its llight from the sunn^ 
laJtd she loved bc well to tho ett^rnul rcwiu'd ehc merited. 

Thafi, on 8th Jaly 1115. * followed by the prjiyer© and 
blceeiDgs of a people for whom she liad so often prayed and 
blessed " soared the spirit of the ^cateet and noblest woman 
of hef ago. " After a life which might seem to belong to the 
province of romtinee rather than history she died, bequeathing 
to the world a name second in the annals of her age to nooe 
but thntof Hildebrand himself,"^ Thesaintly Gregory, whom 
she thus rivalled in historic interest and piety, had preceded 
ber Uy the grave by thirty years. To that reverend Funtifl'^ 
the counHellorof her youth, she might have fitly adilre^o^ed the 
wordft writU't) in latrr days by a sou of the Church whoae 
intdre9U she had so faithfully guarded: — 

" Obt whil« alou^ tie alrti^inj of Mle th/ UhXRv 
EipauJMl AieBkndgAth«rB&]| lu fAme, 



Jb rf j w' q tfi' oa f Biography. 



Bigbt Hoa. Sir Jftme* St^phn. 
339 



Matilda, Counter of Tuscany 

8aT, ftKkll m;- little huk »tuiiil*ht akil, 
Piintiv the Uioupft ukd pbruikc the ^Icl ** 



Th0 venerable Doniso, who h^ r«jp*ettod the 
BtatncQ hii4 not c(io»oa Caoo^iui tor hi^r last rosting-plie^ 
WM agftin ** doomed tc diBappoJntmeait " on lieftrio^ tht 
MatiltW* botly w»a nol to lx> mU*Tr»I wUJim thecfi£t1epr^ 
cinctc. She k'ft ilirecltooa that hor r«iuaiDa should be oih 
Te3red to tho church of S&ii BcaetJcito * da Polirooe, Bttacbe^ 
to a iDoaoAtery nt HAAtuft which had been foimdtid by ler 
ADCoetora, uid her vriflhea wcro carried out by her sorrow- 
ing frkodo, 

MaaLua. who. Mdttood hy Gorman fold &nd Cordis 
ifidue&cc, hod twice falten away froo her loyalty^ was ovGf' 
wbtlmad with grief at tbe d^c^ai^ of tb« *' Great CocfiUfift''' 
Thd ropoDiant clti^^Di iwcnaod themselvei of hast^ain;' the 
doAtb of their patron and beDfifjirtrww The nsnal routine of 
pleaaurta or duty was abonduDed, mid ^yvry honseliold vitf 
plunged into mouniing, Xo mor^. wailed the stricken pei^pfe; 
would Uatilda be tbeir cbaiupioii in the day oF diRtret<soo 
more identify herself witb their intercfitfi. no more eDruurai^ 
by her aid and indueoce the progress of their material ud 
spiritaal welfare! 

The news that the "Grwt Countefifl" wa« to be boncd 
within thd walls of Mantua came like a EoesBageof forgivoDM 
from the dead and Oiled the heartfi of the <?itizei»9 with a 
renew^ love and rL'^erence for the noble woman a^iw* 
whom tbey had rebi^tled. 

On the day before bar burial the remnlna of Matilda wtrt 
conveyed from Bondeno to M&ntua. All along the ruute and 
by the fthores of the Mincio, tha way waa lined with pwplecf 
all ranks who had come from di^tfiot part^ of TuscanyU 
testify their respoct to the last of tho race of tho prioody 
MargraveB. Ab the procoesion, touching in i(e eioipUcitJt 

■ AJ^i9.nd^r P'lpe, id hht lioea nd<lr4^fiB<?i3 lo Lord &<iliDffbmltft 
' SaiaL B«uedicc of EV>Iiro>i& 

\40 



Tuscany Mourns 



pftssei] throngh their midet, the weeping miiltibudcH Tell upon 
their koees, and with bears and groans gave otteraiice to 
their sorrow. At the approach of the cortege the gfttco of 
" La Olorioea " were flung open and a procession, ht^d&d by 
the monkn of St Benedict* went forth to escort tho body of 
"the daughter of St Peter ** to thoir iconasterj', where it 
remained hidden from mortal eyea for more than three 
hnodred years. Amid the teara of her sabjecte, and with all 
th« impressive rifcual of the Catholic Church, she was laid to 
rest in n.n urn whioh was "supported by eight coltimns of 
marble." 

In 1445, during the restoration of the monaetery by A 
member of the house of Gunzu^^iL^itwaA found Deceesary. we are 
told, to remove the body of Matilda. Her tomb was opened, 
and " ftince Guido goaod with awe upon the weli-proaorvod 
featurea of the Great Counteas/' Her remains wera allowed 
to reet undisturbed in tha urn, whioh was removed to the 
ch&pel of St JuBtine. 

On 22nd June 1613, duriug the pontificate of P&ul V., the 
body of the princess waa again exposed to view by "the 
curiosity of Ferdinand TV,, Duta of Mrtjituft." The features 
were still undecayed, and "stmck the beholders by their 
beauty of outlinen She appeared aa though asleep, and 
through her partly-opened mouth could he aeen her white 
frud regular teeth, not one of which was mifleing." Ucr white 
hair wae co&fiued aa during her life by a tiara, which waa stiU 
inbkct, and which is familiar in her portrait upon a monument 
At Pod no. 

This wae the last oeeaaion on which mortal eye could irooe 
the lineaments of the patriotic Matilda, for even while tho 
beluildera gazed upon hor, the body, unable to witliatand the 
«xpof4ure to air, began rapidly to enimble into dust 

Fi>r a third time, in IG85, more than five hundred years 
»fter her death, was the burial-place of the " Great Ooantcea " 
changed, at thia instance by tlie order of Urban VIII, The 
link wMi Qotihowevci, opened, but tronslatedtwith due honour 




Matilda^ Countess of Tuscany 

to lh« {llDHtHoUB desd. lo Rome. Bere beneath ifai; ciigblj 
doDK.thc booonr ot wbicb nho bftdtoeoofousl^ iipkel4,r0pc« 
tbe retniins of ibe " OicaI CoQntMA." ■ 

Within tbo fWUica iteJt Pope Urbaa Bas eroekd « 
•pleodid moDTuoent, upon vrbitb b cnfrorod th« luuae of,*- 



Upon tiw Da&rb]# a^rcophBgoa u aeolptarod tb» seeoeol 
Heiuy'fl aelf-lmpoaed pecuuioe at CoDona. Tlie Q<tniuui Rta^ 
hn^ thrown him^rlf pniHtrAUi nt tbp Wt nf llio IVintlff be te 
ptmujuttlly iuAtill«(l ouil wbu repraeeuU Uio Omrch, whoa 
UwB he bu dcJiberatcLj' brokon, and -whose libortm be btf 
rotbleoaly tram plod npoiL Tbe eealptor baa depoctei 
Matilda •tacding by the side of Qregory ood pleading fbc 
bor coaaiD, wboao ill re^uitod tb<f Tontid^s forbe«raiico 
tbo taccoesful mcdinttoD of hi^ robitive. 

An in«enptioD is appecded, of wbieb tbo f olJowin^^ il 
freo tnumlAtion, tcstifybi^' tu b^r virtuot nod coDOlut 
hb own namu : — 

"URtAxri! VUl Fan. 4Lix"« 

" To the Cou3incM M^yil^a. 

A worachQ ol bold ipirit' 

Protectreo of ihc Ajionbolfo Sea. 

Mott iielolirat^d for li^^r r^nkArk&bl^ 

UlremJityAQd kiadiusH. 

Ber lYimuaa wrrv trvuforrcd bun 

from til? trnmitierj af St Bctirrlmt in Mial^tUL 

A woiuAii wortby o{ otnruikl pnivx. 
ThU mumituruL waji i;rvi:Ud iu iLu ymr 10^.* 

It wfts but jast, remitrkfi the cbronicter^ that tbe vi 
aid rendered to the U(Jy f^ee by tlii; '* OrcAl Coutitcm * Abi 
bo publicly rocoguiscd, and that one of ita TontiSft Bbodd 
uphold hor aa a mode! cf Ctiriatian eonngp find charity for 

■ Bitdchrand and 3ii Ttmat. W, It, Sl»phMUi M.A. 

* *'CofDir)itiiwrr MfitJnldi. Virilu JUkimi fcamUkn^ Scdit Apoacalkfl 
prc^pTifuq.T.mf pifllate iDMigai tibemJiutc <?cli1>«rfmjc hue ox MutDiDA 
SaTifxf Ki<ri*-<lio^ oc»DObin trHQuIatin otsitnia gruLui M;t«nu» kndb 
praiuertlQiu. M<ml p». Ad. MlXtXXiV," 



^^^^^^B^l^l 


1 1 


^^^^^K 







In St Peter's 

emolmtion of future ag<^. She luul ijwnt her year* and 

mbstance is the def^Dce of the Charoh, aLnd throuj^h 

, weddt^d life And widowhood had \i&in Uio cb^ui^don 

it« righto during the rei^§ of ten of its PootilTfl. This 
doefi iitit inclade th«i eighteen years' ptinttGaitit pf pMicfi1,who 
survived her by only threo ye&rs. 

S^c lived to i^t<i t!ie fraitioD of her l&bour»— the indepcnd- 
«>f hercountry ftnd the restoration of the tcmpor&l power 

tbe Chtirch. To thin twofold object she ^ve her whole 
gth of mittd nod body, devoting herself Mrith unfaiUo^ 
cbe^alQ<ifia and onflinohm^ coar«^o to the task she had oot 
bcrwflfj And which nho inaccifrQafiilly Achidvvd. 

Cimabue, the " father of modem paintinj;," ft oatire of 
Hntilda'* city of Florence, and the raawter mnd patron of 
OioUo, ha« imnjort alined her in his picture. She is there 
'r«pre»«itcd an " Oi virj^in in martial array, uf hicui facii ia h^lf 
bidden by « veil, who holda tht^ reiua uf a fiery at«ei io one 
hand, and in tlir: iither n poine^anatn flower, tho ^yirlml of 
at^inlfee parity/* Another artUt depicted hor "on horae- 
liaek, elod in a red robe, and holding to hor hand the pome- 
granntc, the ombJem of hor virginity." 

We Jeorn from a French wriL«r that tliero is a picture of 
JIatilda, bearing the name of Dontao, still preserved in Uio 
Vatican library.^ The followinj* ia a free translation of the 
rnoni detailed Account, with which hi« graphic pen haa 
fnmiahed oa: *' Seated upon a green cushion, a lily In her 
hand, W(<iinng n ^tTdi^n crtiwii <i( a cnnicul form, untaniented 
with pbarla aud prteJoua atotit^e, aiid wearing a wLitti veil 
which fallv over a bine rotx^ the nleovca of whicli are lafgr; 
with red under<«loeTe6 and bordered with zfjld. The man^e 
i« red and ornamented with a wide border of gold, upon 
which were ecottcrcd poarla. Hor ehoce appear to be of clotb 
of i^ldr 

Poota and mnikianfl, in eoundinj^ hor prauev, havo 
dal^hted in r«preaenting bar " a« a fair and gentle wotaao 
■ BoaAc Aa»£d6<. FUi^ l«Sa 
HI 




Matilda, Countess of Tuscany 

dDgiDgh/nuu ftod gathering flovrem" &nd daiming her» 
Ml csumpk of M thM ia tbo embcxiiiDCiit of cr>urafi;e aad 
virtiUb Tho immOTtAl Tftsso, who lived Ui Ftcrence. becanio 
Acqnomtod with ttio tr»4itioi» which hati been handod down 
tta Uaulj b&irlooms duriii|t foor oentoHdd, and ^'w^ch 
doabUoci ia«pired him wbiU mMlitAtiag upon hie ▼e^^eee^" 

But Mfttildft ]\v**d lonj*^t and best in the heArU of hei 
|KKi[>t«, more luipcMzUUy the poor, for wUowe h«,ppme» Kb« 
laboured, and on wkom ahe npenb the greater part> of h^r vut 
mvnuuiw. "f?n well," rr-laUTH ihv hiKtiiriaD, " waa her 
niimificenGe iD§taiu«id hy a wiao eccoomy thai at the cloee 
of her long roign shc^ wan still able b<> maintain the rvppelU- 
tion of 'The lUch/ by which hor father, ])oDiface> had 
difitinfTtiiah^xi/' 

To Doniso, the aged family chaplain, ehrontclor and 
already UimAelf tottorin^^ on tho verge of tbe ^rave, ftlatild 
death waaan irrepamble loss. He had been with her fro 
herinfancyp he had msiilled into her mind thosd seGtimentA 
of religiota and putriotism for which she wtia pre-etnineoUy 
ramarkabld, and ha knew and appreciated the va1u8 of har 
Bterling wurth and pii^ly. 

A-t the newa " that she was no more, the poet's heart w%a 
bruiaed/' and ho rclit^vcd hiA pent-up feelinga by cotupoa 
the foliowmg iametitation in vorae : — 

1 could not realise th« Conutofifl vnua da^d I ■* 




" llj itnuigUi has Jcfb toD, 
Ujr llvept swe^it to mu, itaa lUpnitei. 
All fie«:iDa l^. witboat h«r." 

In the oonctuding wurils he uttered bid last cry, wJ 
Hke the notes of the dying swan, brolse his faithful heait ^' 

" Ihe honour xa^ glory of liAly 
Deiocaded nibtt thoe into tho tomh- 




M4 



1 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 


I 


HildrthrAtid,OTt€oryTTr.,liom 


lOlS 


OoiJfny of Lalharinfift died 


1(174 ^1 


HanTy 111. o( Gemuuiy cro*n*i 




OoiiEcil »t Romo 


]o;i H 


Emparor 


1046 


>« ■ 


107& ■ 


Mktildb, OoQiLtMB of T^oanj, 




OtiDci'^ nlitiwk \jsi Ort^iivy VII. 


107C H 


bom 


1040 


Hi^fy IV. viuuruuiLjiiitiatvil 


1076 H 


L«o IX. f CcoDt oF Hapabug, 


]04« 
10£;4 


Gftdf rey Iri ItoeBU died 


1076 H 
10711 ■ 

1070 ■ 


Btiutriou HQUTiei Godli^^ <it 




SftiTj M CuioiBA, J^aitiry 


1077 ^1 


IrfjtliftFiiiffLiL 


]0fi4 


IU4tLl(]&~4 Uci]U1flt 


1077 ^1 


Kvnttii^o 4Dit UfltUda |iriK>iien 




Su^ruclr^. Kiid<ifph . 


10T7 H 


IP QcTTikay , 


I0fi4 


DuHtli of KmEiMSB ol Genunny 


^H 


Im' [X, diaj lUth Apnl 


i0£4 


Gngory VIL seadi crowij to 


^H 


Bontnckj ukJ Matilda retora to 




Buddpli 


^M 


lUly . . , . 


10fi£ 


DoAthof Budolpti 


IDSO ^B 


Viabft I1-. Bwhcp Oiibehfttd, 




Gnil^ert, Sinliop of Kar«iina, 


^1 


rpp» 


10£G 


»ati-pO]»u 


lOGO ^1 


lIllJDtjrHd hcj^nta to Frtuca 


lOtfi 


E»Hiijiui»iJc*tiuti ^}f OvLirj' 


^H 


Heniy UI,, EuipeiuL' «f 




ooaSnaod i - 


lOflO ^1 


G^ntiAny, dmi^ 


10C4I 


Heniy inrikdEH Itidy 


lOSl ^1 


Ticiiir II. aitd 'iSlli July 


lO&T 


MAtcIJk r^tibACa Lo Cad^aba 


iDfll ■ 


1 Stophen IX., Ffederio o( 




Hi*nrj iDt(-sta CfiuoBSA . 


lOfli ^B 


lOfil 


Henry \nya bi«ge [Cvo yuan) to 


^1 


Ifriifldiet X.^ CtmClp 4nti'popii , 


106A 


FLnmr? 


losi H 


Hiohd*! IL, Duliop UWBrt, 




Gngory'' Jut C^noll in Boioo 


lOM ^M 


Pope . , . . 


10&8 


Ongar/ ntiros in St Aag^o . 


10S4 ■ 


OvKiaVAl Council &t Hon* 


LOfi« 


llvaiy fmbxn Rmoc 


1084 H 


KlohoU* 11. Jied 37lh Jnlj - 


10«1 


OalburD. Auil<pcip«i •■ 


^H 


Alauui^iar I^-i Anulm 




CIduiouB III. 


to«i ^1 


B*tlflpiiB, Popy 


lOfll 


Uaatj [nvftits St Antfalo 


1084 ^^H 


CwL»tuLii« UioLiLt^ ul Fumik, «nei> 




Rit1t*itc;tiuiniinl rMcniuQmcof? 


1004 ^^^1 


RI» ' ■ ■ ■ 


Wl 


UT«[fory t&oat to ^^ario 


10H4 ^^^1 


tduililB'a am Utild . 


100] 


Hiinry or*rtniwl ty *nli-popfl - 


1084 ^H 


M»tild&'H Bvocmd battle 


lOfi] 


Hniiry ncnd^ vmy h> TuvoaAj . 


I0ft4 ^1 


Mftdlil* surriH Godfnf lo 




MjbbLldk Lltfi?&td imperial trwpa 


loee ^M 


B«*«i 


1061 


Grwory diw nt HalifrDo« £Std 


^^M 


TBmTiriM cJ OenuiiDy totiroa to 




LOdE ^1 


loeu 


DoxLh nC Untwn Gnldcud, lltti 


^H 


BaEirj IV. umrrin! W Iteithft 


lOflfr 


July , , , . 


lOU ■ 


AlautuW n. diod 3U» Ayrtl ■ 


107* 


y^ntor rn., CuhLIiuU UuldflfldB. 


^H 


Or*KCi7 VU.. UittUbFUd, 




Poiw . , - . 


1064 ^M 


, r^. 


1074 

34 


$ 


io» ^^H 



105,- ^ 







-'IVi 



aa» 



«X 






1 INDEX ^1 


■ 


Anaiclm of Mei^ — ^^^^H 


r Hui^o, l£ 


AnlibiBbtrp of CiutrrborT 40 ^^^^H 


flf OlnBj, 10, iHb 


ud WilliuQ Riifo£, '2^2 ^^^^1 


, of MtiiLinltuy \i{ *' Our I,i*d7,"8 


^Hth Af, ££» ^^^H 


<if MonU CuftBitio, S^e. ^fifl 


hmi>«r*d hf l.]rE»ii , -fUV ^^^^1 


Adulbart, Etiflt^f al HrouidD. !Ptt 


plfltdafor EoffJiib Kinjf. ZHB ^^^^M 




Aii>d1m, St, ijt ^ImaiB»<— ^^^^^| 


AdalaLiIc. ConrnJ. hdr U. 2Btf 


Binbap uf Locfiftp 09 ^^^^^1 


Eunt1i«r &I EflrtU*. lfl$ 


H «lUlICDt, 954 ^^^^1 


*[to o( Otro Ih* Grofttn 30 


NqllfM t4, im ^^^H 


AgQ", EmpraMif 4>f UarmnhJ', AK 


hiMMM yutmt. ur ^^^1 


_ — » R«gDOl, A7 


BlitmrbBf d!. 3£A ^^^^H 


^ — chanMJtor oJ> 1)6 


vonfutflDT lo UatilJjk 200 ^^^^H 


a»tb <j|. 1S& 


d«ith of, JUM3 ^^^H 


Dcmmnle* anti-pope, 79 


oppb««a JLliiondttr H., 73 


"Blun cf govamuiflQt,*' VAti ^^^^^| 


1. THtiPM to Kmn*. «7 


rMADiiruindAd hh Pu|i«, ?ilfl ^H 


Al«uiad*rn„ AniBlm TWdn^iii, 71 


rDplfMtO JhQtl'flLjm, Ui& ^H 


Hi]clMftii1c1ii,TI.«5 


Atliirt, OdTiliEihl-dciiGuu, 904 ^H 


Disliop ifl Liwo4| 71 


blstH* Nurmau aUndud, 101 


BoPfdiaL Vlli.,€l'' ^M 


blai4«d lUAdHrd of Wtlliftca tbc 


<]«^A|i>a«, Hkahfip i>f f»ni»tTS ^^| 


CoatiusfflT, tOfi 


OonU uBanodlnL X..Wi ^H 


— — cCinvAnM r*fUTiflil, 99 


Oa]T«rt Odrragid, Archbishop of ^H 


— — flrowuvdp 7^ 


JUtviLiu, uCttruculQL.SOQ ^| 


dutUvt, 111 


UaiAsQ^Ua, Abbot ol FatIb, ■« ^H 


&7lvciitcriy,,304 ^M 
Tb4odvrh.»04 ^H 


to Uormtmy, IH 


prtjl#4ilii J*"r«, lUfi 


Apulia, Hob^Ti aaltur4,0aDneQf,sa3 ^| 


— — Ti»!ia*1yitiBariti-po|*, ll(J 


<;n4-(>ry VH In. :f»a ^| 


Alexia Liji Ru^rl QqliOAld, 2A3 


Guidiuni'a iU4a«»iv Oukot of* ^^| 


Alt"<> poriJ'^uB Miiikjr* oF tLiD, IGG. 
Amalfi, Goiiaoil al« S7S 


»7v ^H 


AtobLiiflktp of CuloxAVi 1*3 ^^1 


J^niroU, Onidnof Ht, 131 


of JUvannii, 2*10 ^M 


ii«fli<vc<i. 'jyi 


Angflbertfj IfUl n^ \r,2 ^H 




- — -mCotliLiE Bt, IttV 


rveLn^i to, I26 


AcftO, CuluiIh H 


Puul n. rci«»« bL, 30« 


eapblM tit, BO 


OitJit^il rxiiH aiflfo jf, $10 




rtoTTor. 1K1 


BAJCSCtvc, Si Ottia, Blabop ii4, tl7 


^— Urhtn II' M«*pf4 frrrm. 386 


B«rt. C^ioncll lU 1WS 


VlpiHir m crnnradd »», 260 


Btnirl*. Auirili»c En, 363 




Dukii ul, lOO 


Anveim Q*di«ii»> Al4iuid*r 11., 71 


fltf4t4 &Ei4o]pb u fii;iff , lOfl 


^^^ Blakup <f LupfA, Ifi 


^^ W*». Ehik4 of, 3S9 




BA«^lfU*ori#ait«imf» 15 


r ■ 


t7 



^^V ^^^F Index ^^^^^H 


^K BMOrfM of LvmlDB «ddn«MB Bb- 


B«rl!iA» fnirmw af, 909 J 


^1 iBr«t IttWT QL. 44 


DiflbDj) l}pt>«liAnl. 59 H 


■ -^4**tb»^l«; 


(ft lUEtibvrc. ^i' ^^^1 


^H lUoMM cl. ItO 


of Ur>a4bU, Iftf ^^H 


^H -^^ LcM* hrr ftnt hti«lvBd, SO 


of IdGQac, 71, OS ^^^1 


^H .^^ IfiSM har Mf^rid hitBti^nd, IIT 


^^— dt Onlh., 4SJI ^^^1 


^M -^^ aUTiM Uucr^TO >' Viunoj* li 


Of I'ormB. rS ^^H 


^M iMffTln flmlfni iif TiiPlhariifh) 


«f tVrt^j. lifi ^^M 


H 


- — of HD^tfio. SOO ^H 


H .^ pU«il« for U*ar7 IV., 108 


Bo*ingnd, 'cd n( Rnbnrt QvlHMiil^H 


Sa* ^ 


^H -^MMHd, U 


KondefK^, dflotli of MailtrU *t,3ir 1 




Bvolfviu iL(< nifttfulflctul. tA 1 


■ — ibri«ko*d t7 n*,utr in,, si 


-^— 41 hj^c, ID ■ 




dai.lh oi. SO M 


Imlhfff of MutiHii, It ■ 


^M lUrwdlfltX.. knu-jup*. C« 


hnipjUMly of. la ^ 


^H B«i*4Jdk si launiir ol Uancdletliio 


BniBo, Coaai of IfupHliiirff, nlwnrirfl' 


■ Ord«r. 10 


LiiolX, 2ii 


H — Obunbaf, »«3 


M Qlunr, 30 


^^H ' ' — faotuof c-f. ca 


aowuoUcd hf nUdelfui], 36 


^H ■utauti4 Uft ftF| 10 


- — ' pilgrtin «o Koiao, 37 


^H ^^ ootta of; II 


Brrmo, &t. lonndor of Otrtbilll 


^H ^^ midikA of. SCI 


Order. 26^. S7I 


■ -^ rvlM ffl. 4. f , M», »> 






r*fii»a £«o «t ItvKxiM. 371 


Oujalodbh lAEBODP «r pAkifA, n 


■ I*otX.,» 


-^— »ni1'iMipB, 7:? 


^H PMOftlllH, B03 


dfffPBtfld by Mktttdft, T* 


^1 StopbsQlX.tiO 
^1 Urfu It. SCS 


IchuOm Tii^unuy. 77 


Oiuinu iff Liitica,^ iCfi 


^M VielQf 11.. Se 


of Si John Li.tam>t (!> 105 


H vioUfUi.,^A2 


OuiDBfiB, 2bO 


^m BaatiietiDti, IHH 


Abbi^lnf, ai;C) 


^1 BiaaT«nij^. ^gg 


- — - Baiiirflca luC bta lan din 4t| }L 




MAtilJjLf Itt 


^B fli^bE at Urban C. tc, ^$7 


Conrt nt. 277 


^M L«o IX. at* :?&5 


. dflif-ripVioa o|, H 


^^^^_ ^^ ptcruE qiLint uf. J^. 3Ji5 




^^^K BvHa. FtLlbur of HUdubrjtiid. a, 9 


family mi;j^l. 3] 


^ of MMildt, IM 


lOABl Qb, IBS 


Qodiit^j \fi Ddsbh M, flU 


^H Bor«D4E*riDB, haroey of, GO 


— - Qvdfrhj of Lfihoringlfl ■!, SS 


^H rupAnlaneu ^od dvitti jf, */70 




^H - — sprAEid ijf b<<ri-»f of, ?7lk 


- — Hi^Tify IV. piTTijiant al, llrt 


^H rial ted juullorifUflD^ynrbiLalt-, 


Matilda'fl Iqtc for. 5J7 


H 370 


P»H(iai II, Bl. 320 


^H Berib*! Qqmi« of Germanj, lOl 


raiurc itt tho captlTM iv, M 


^H ■ -ohafnfltur of, l4J'i 


HiDpe of, soa 


^1 ooiurkJeil bv Mftlitdn. (73 


— —sortie from. 'SOU 


^H — •^flroBees th» Atpn, lti5 


— — viBitnrB tn. 45. 5A 


^H cmwDDd Lt Kaiptt^B. 33S 


Victof n, It, 3fl 


^H -^-. JwLtli of, ?d3 


Cwdliuilt BJ«ct AjuAliat 71 ^ 


^^1 ^^ ciATTiDB Hotrj IT., 101 


'in n dllaiunjA. 2J>7 ^^^| 


^^L^^ -^^^aiGtar-in-Uw oi Uodol^h^ IBS 


■ to elaol PojiA*, S9 ^^^H 


^^^b 


^H 



Index 



nil, munina at urArd^ 09 

Abbot cf , »Lin 

d«ttinpiii>ft of, ZO 

Otvfforr VU. Tlfltu. 3U 

8b*bbiiii IX. Hi, it^ 

Bdl«l* bailL by Matildft* 273 

of Looovf 7 1 

»l JIvrHWVi lOKb of RudoLpb 

At. 197 
of Flu, tomb dF BAKtrlc« ■!. lfi£ 
of 8plm>, lomb ul Uuary IT, nl, 

of gl Vftrtia, 71 

lUdLciUol] M. Ill 

of St UlAtlbffV. tkDTlAj ptu* of 

OravotrTn.p 2rtl 

of Tffrdifi. lumb of OiiiWttj la 
lloiBat t^aih of OddttiTf of 
LottivLd^i, IIH, IA'> 

AHJ (if ihM AlKr|r7< (^"^r A»H 3» 

fuuiLB for. isa 

i las 

fetUcU (IroiTDrT VLL, 13A 
rpocWod bj Hucry IV,, ISfl 

oath of. ilii 
ii&fltjr ur< 13i 
ktiav puBU vanrait #1 MaUUa. 

I 9%.f Lq IvVRDMiy, IV* 

9anifl..l4 

. AffTjI-bthop of lUrcBnii, 200 
MMvktPDBtif!, ir^l 
QTovna llM[Ty IV. u ICcDpflror, 
tSft 

■ dHlh«f.3KI 

■ niuBoDv. no 

. «rl«M to Bl AaMlm, »L< 

7, Abb«t of, 10 

. BHAiAffuul nb'prlov of. II 

-HiVO, Abbot of, Vs. 341 

■ uf*a,n 

. PmmI U . iMdoil »t. MS 

■ Ur^«na,AbbaiDf, V6i 
lontt. mvatlflir kt, Sl« 

igoOt Hftimo, ArchbUliitp of, 99 
nd, AnbbU^flp of S^uUr^. SS5 



Onnr»rl, b*lr ta Cvtuidi tbroo*, IM 
.^ dHth of. ^90 
«iU« ^f . 2«» 

— — jdlmtUvQ of, 291 
CoTaDAtiorj af — 

rhuriflTDMro*. y^B 

ilrsKL-rr Vlt. Ut 
npary tiT. u Kraponv, 14 
n«irf IV., bT knii-p»p«, SSS 
Uonry V, u KiDpoToF. -IVO 
u King, 315 

Tad hl, ;« 

Kicb.»wjj..ea 

Str>pbon1X.,«} 
L'rbuiTI.,roV 
VIcIotILh «« 

Victoria. 2110 
Oonwlo. GulUtfl, ■Dii'popt, 900 
Oonn^i dngoTj T|L ImI, V3l 
■ VUitt 1X1, otij, BftS 

CoDUill Kl^ 

Had, 23« 

L;oaa,bil 

PlMonOKlW 

Eomo. Sa. »T. «fi. G9, 71, SB, 

ina. I3a,200. 3A9. Sae, 339 
SioAk, GT 

Torruin*,ace 

C^BUSllo, UtbH IL bOLdfl twttTB, VW 

CoQiit frf An]oii, 3M 

ApaliA. 30 

lUp>bDflb9S 

OoooMh B«otHo«t M 
CoOBtaH UfttiUa, Otokt, 1« 

(Itaffbry VTL ud. 3»6 

UrbuJi. bloMMiWr 

Ciu>dor« In Jonml^h SOI 
IflToMMy, IM 

Duaiu, 5i roUr, 4 

Autn^tlBO of. II 

Biihop of Otti». 9$ 

dpmnptioc nf, 16 

Lafit* U> rioTDsmtT, |01 

LhXUI ao, »<> 

tioNklicilu 11,47 

^— Ob S1HUC47. 4 

r«fiuH to srown AAli^fcpti 44 



9« 



I- ^^^B^^^ 


^^^^H Index 




^V IlMliB, ftt h«4«. »Ur7 cf , <t 


FUreoeo, d«*crinlai W. U. EH 




^H vUteCumM^M 




^H Tlift* OoDT, It 


<^takM ^ Umsaj IV-, JH 




^H iwmi ar CbdAivM, n 


Titftar n. <1Im »(, » 




^1 -^ or HiVf IT, , no, Mi. BU> 


PontMlm. tD««itas »«. t» 




^H Ot8«AC4M,t40 


PrucA. riiillpLor, »1 




^H D^idiriMy At>U4 af 3lopI« riirfai. 


Hl]d«kru4 I^wil* >«. S4 


lD*«i»liBr«« im, 19 1 


^H VH 


VtM-ut II, tviir** 1*, an 






•knaoaj In. U 


H nhanrtTrf, AM 


UrhmaC. muikmvtmxtLm 


^H anwDAda* VUtorlH, Ml> 


frU*H^ ■tton'tfib Sk«ftea,« 


^K •ttvtoi M Pop*« tM 


4-Mh of, 64 


^H fKf aua t* hWMt pM. MO 


lfV*dirt«, *ir«tl)u Af aUdldA, IT 


^B Dtei U A«k'*>«Ch IOS 


bfnib 0*. in _| 


^B Dodu^tn, 1«, tT^ift 


eU)dLM4ar. 17 J 


^H — H cUpitio, 40, ne 


ovty it»aib «f, SI ■ 


^^H •■ f»im4rr. 949 


n«4*ri« «r aaiUnm. dot ^ 


^H — MU«t«rUA. IS. rrr 


Mn-la-lav U Rmrj IT^ Ml J 


^H M po«t, 49 


^^1 ' — «■ fABiSbor, M 


^M 


^H dwrlbn MiilM*. 14. 0S 


OaasASi^ Vionju IL. 44 H 


^^B ^^^ deai^ribot Autefu ol Muitoa* Sttt 




^H ^^ go »j;]oLla «l .^£l4>. IS. 10 


^^^ «R dnpiiuiiy, \H9 


«bwMUrolL<S ■ 


^^M Ob Ui'ttry* jwti^imhi^ itiO 


OvnoMOf— H 


^^K ^^ on *uiA cf C411OU4. ?<4i 


Kgnm, EtnpMai «if . Aa H 


^H ^^^ OD IttAcUtr^ uf ?duitii4> AOB 


BMVka. priK«vr t«, V ■ 


^^^ ■ viJvai on MBtiUft'ii ibjutuc*^ 01 


D«fllu, QboflB of. 101 _fl 


^H •oils «t Uoiflat, U5 


ChMric^mA<D^. Rmporor «l^ M|^H 


^H torravi 8*1 


vLtij ifiF^.n, i'M ^^M 


^M trlDUph, 1711 


dtatnrhiu'M L&, ZS) ^H 


^^1 


Bacry 11^. fimpamr etf. S ■ 


^H EUCTIPH of Pi;p«i»^ 


Ifturj IIL. Bupflror M. H ■ 


^H bj (WlllluU. '1 


Hcorr V. . Hnbtrw «J. U4 ■ 


Bonn IV, , KiOfE *i, £6 ■ 


' I7 Koi]>u«T«j S 


t4 b* lnd«|i«ndaae. 64 


Li>olX. lb. n ■ 


UaUIcU, prtiMiM la, St H 


fStebflUi, Qweo. l^ 


Uii«. aiBOT««iEn9«nror,L ■ 


&B|i«nilv, lic^y It, li 


uBuaT in, G9. 127 ^M 


— iioiiijiir. II 


9C Pffttr TiiAlte, Le^to U, l^H 


B4mjV..^n 


^otM, OtBubbt. muiar of.. S4S ^M 


Vinh!aat*n<in tt — 


QoAtf*j }• Bmmi, as ^H 


OrtfforyVII., 2M 


chikneha of, M^ Iftt H 


BimrrlT,. 3U 




MiLUIiI»,a4l 




1 


^K FsBiuftA in r#TDlt, 1109 


OoAfivr of BcullToii, IM ^^^1 


^H KiAai^HTB, CouDeAr, I&9 


^H ^— . GDdrni; of Ltibh&rtairfa woftpvi 


— — dtttodpliloa cf , MS ^^^H 


^H to^so 


«btvr« Bom«, SSf ^^^H 


^H Eur> IV- iic« Id, £17 




^^1 ^^^ - — «si)* in, 316 


— «ipEKLiuo ot. ass ^^^H 


^H In r>f «ie, SA 


^-^ d^lh i>f. 80V ^^^H 


^^P IHonnaft b«lD|i«l, StV 




^^^- 


^^^1 





^^^^^^^^^^* Index ^^^^^^^^^^^H 


p ' Tetnaao title of Kin^, 301 


Qtcgoty VI1„ at, LrHo SIILtio.S60 ^^^H 


cnJiunliou of, H * ^^H 


quite Romff, 2^2 ^H 


[ ' iround" Rudolph, I9(i 

■ DonuDOndD Matilda's array, 65 


_ — leaahai ^JstnOk '2ii'& ^^M 


^^rwdT«fl eQToy from Honty TV.. ^H 


144 ^B 


-'^ relqiLBcd br Kuburt Qulacitrdf £S0 ^^| 


tc|i«alr ftCDickiDDnitUktian, ItiO ^^^^H 


' — oonsln tjf BditrioD, 33 


tutitoK to St 'Vngolo, ^25 ^^^^B 


t dMtb at, 117 


tATRdby UaTildi), 1S» ^^^^B 




^ — eendfifroHn to Hndolph, 19A ^^^^H 


bbti^r-Ui-Liir d( Matilda, 00 


bluesLDg \.a Bvutrlao, \W ^^M 


rebels AgfciDDt ElmporoE Hoar7 




—^ foigivonoafl (0 Oodfroy la ^^M 


ill- , a3 


BptllL, lfp£ ^^^^H 




style '2i9 ^^^^1 


ttflp-rutlier of Uatilfifi. .MS, 90 


teEtlimimy tn, 241t ^^^^H 




lL<j *■ Rolomiflr," 54 ^^^H 


OoMvn Ttoitt, ajQULlng i:rf, 2-H 


- — — ihreatuJiA la vicomiuiiDliJftld ^^| 


QoiJar. 161 


Jlaoil. 130 ^^^^B 


ktlAak tit paloqfr of, 100 




Mnala Ctmainp, itV3 ^^^^1 


binTi-pliflft of llrniTj 17,, 1(H) 


vark ffir thn Ctmnh, 348 ^H 


Oresl CouDteu Al^Viliia, Id 


wdtaa lu BAitiiiiu utd M&tilUo. ^H 


Otojiui) L,llt», le 


116, 119, lao ^^^M 


Otio tlio, I 


BritonflH 198 ^^^^1 


Gregory L. Bt, tbeGruIn 131 


^^ ^— B^prfldi AgiuB^ 160 ^^^^^1 


Oregory VI. 1», 115, I7(t 


ODrmnni, 15*}. UN, tM ^^^^1 


GrtgoryVn. (i« HiMohrnndJ 


— ^ Gormati prinoos, 170 ^^^^H 


Orfljfcrr Vn., Sl^. QildebriuLd. llG 


HamytV., 120,122 ^^^H 


' &bBiijiviic« nU 13B 


Hugoof Clunr, tlCt 194 ^^^H 


«Hrraii;fl occflA^ratkoJii 316 


Matildn, iCO ^^^M 


— flt Caaoata, 171 


Robert Ooijcard, SM ^H 


^— . kl Klorcoica. ITD 


^— Williuu Uiti CuQqa»rv«, IK ^H 


MUflfcdd by Oendl, 11^ 


WillSam, '* King of tha ^H 


bo*loir"d by Henry IV., 329 


BD«tUb,"lt»S ^^H 


blcBson the jwflplpf 1U8 

^ bicaiiDg oi. as; 


Orenobtfii HdkIj ol, lOQ ^^^^H 


Gnelpb ot Wolf, 2b!? ^^^H 


-^ buripd bt SfclorDO, ?&0 


OnelpEiB. hiBt[>ry uf, 21^ ^^^^H 


frciri>rikT3Efr] uf. 1 15 


— ^ nimlEita ditiicbiiclAl Frora, ?S8 ^^^^H 


AvnthnUSil 


^ — iif{iLralmi Tuuituy* 'ItHi ^^^^^^ 


diBtpprnTeB of Sftiaa UiUTTOC- 


ticu. 1U0 


- — -ofiOiciutriifll-. ^i'\ ^^^^M 


L ^IcAlcJ by OAF'ltrrnTa, IIJ) 


an flQimDfioilDr, S6[l ^^^^H 


H »- 4nOour«ffii« Mbb of CraajidAA, SSfi 


titUoIt* Poatffl, SGI ^^^^1 


P iBri6ir*d hjr \Ut11dA, IMr^ 


(f^^th Ar, :«I8 ^^^^1 


tctDllHl In ihv tiBt ol Salute, 3G1 


retlru from llomc, 190 ^^^^| 


tipiaLle*«r. 'J4D 


QoitOMi], Hi;bL«ri, ao ^^^^H 




Alni» 0a, 2^2 ^^^^1 


BifamzutioD ti, 9Sl 


— ^ at ApaliL SSS ^^^^1 


fkirffTva fland, IRT 


at SnrBrDo, ^^^^H 


LJpnrylV-»ISrj 


dharaiMrr of, £63 ^^^^^H 


hU ctdrifD to llie AiAamblj. 3£S 


crniind Gount cf Apcitla, DO ^^^^^H 


^ lud Unl bluHnuik fvf Maiilda, S47 


d«].ht^l. 2A2 ^M 


Ooanail, 221 


dcfoToaoo to arft^orj VH., SM ^^^H 


_ niDWt^si 


Loo IX,, SO ^^^M 






1$ 



XIIU^A 




«l4amtiflf> for MtrU'li, i3X 

frieqilahip «»iLh ftt^ttldji, 3S0 
bUr«i«w irJth Mi^iMn, U2S 

ImprtiunA 1^10*1 It tod Onrdl- 

p<Aicj or. 310 

nbAlllDO of, 31? 

Mad' nrnh»iA*}r ta PlusJ tl-. Sift 

UtrHtnv tafulon »f ilOj. S?! 

Tiftiti Cuou*. Air 

nertmd of, 370 

NioboluUft, 11££ 

-^^-- HfDrj IV. aphoidi, 1V7I, fri 

(«rt Onwen TIL) 

Ablwl <^ ^ AbT*, «8 

-^ — adii*** Brmo. M 

>i4wthM«rUoUL,ST 

-— Victor II, 6B 

— ■ chvqnln of AlKuodat fL, 119 

^ borbood of. t 
*^ bklh or, G 

C4TdiQikl-prl«l, 114 

tfomhAU bma^ nf B«r*ng«riii«, 

^^ coroutloD cl. lli 
^ — CDOOHlltr la Stspboa tX., C4 
■^^^ craaftd* itfAiivl •intHfij, lb 
—^ *> mtdobtAid for Pdp*," 1 15 

Oflrauxfp Itp M 

|>«f«oUg« of. K 

^^ btDbwr of Churrl Ilb^rlj, A 

— pOlta7 of, H 

IVopfaMf < M i nya i r g, ? 
liropvMAChnrd u P«k* <>^ 

_ * Hov*, J»T 

^-— n^pvlor M CJvsi, II 
^- iddM Cmwmm, 4T 
Hvtb, Bbbup fff QrvooU*, If» 
UttEO of Cba7, Id 

— - »1 CUuMt, «, ITl 



HB|f0 *f Qniif ftt dp*tbbf4 of GrttrorT 

va,wT 

Ht doathbod of HL«plva tX., 60 

—^ lotiFri (rjin Orpiofj- VTL %q 

latter f»«io WtlliuB tbo CoB- 

qvflror lo, 179 
ptmtt*UrU'*nrjiy., ITS 

■rr1lr« toWlllkflra Ihs C«riiiaoror, 

ITS . 

ItnmrvMMt Jar. IJID 
- — o*)l*ol, m 
— ^ in Bfi^f UaJ. 18$ 

in Vr^at. W 

in iJflrtft^njr, 1^' 

•^^ niLUrtU acmcortilag. IIB. 118 
-— AmaI 11 ud, A38 
— — ponalBlon is flTt, 0SG 

ri«h« of lU Ohvnb lo, 106 

dRiiiaMM« «MtB 

' lUtuiM ■ffiinit, lf€ 

JjiMHh ^r MfttUJa'd dttip«llMi to, BT 
Jobdor Pano. lU 
John tha HcnalE. 200. VIO. Ill 
John. »t, Launn, «}, H 

CtfuoMw. ufl, tra l|» 

-^ WfUkm Rofoi. 1*1 

Praw*. PUapl,£»l 

0««mM7, Omr IV>< M 

LftSfVAjit; Abciuuwor Or OAJifn- 

— d»tl. of, aai 

^^^ riiilf Aluihad«r tl,, lid 
Lto lli rr^vQ* CbArlflBU^nAk. m 
T,u IT. an o|uil«e af P«Atur>L, A 
Lm IX' Bruiw, Oanai of H^iaiborT- 14 

Mp*u«d b7 KvnHM*. 9 

oaftnMi*D of. 9S 

^mth of, IT 

— - eltetikd irj Kmparw. n 

i*ipi»j n 

-^^ iiifrk«« pablio ««trf«Ml«B. 97 
^^ pMrcu Hloi vf BouToito, 2SS 

Vielor iXL ca. 36 

LmXIIJ, atCteiat^ ITV, 91> 

mQt^vrjlU.,VO 

« Si Pa^ DmoIm. SSO 

Iiif«, Hi>af7 IT. <U«i ftt. 3ir 
UaiwdT Ha«to tUtitj IT . i:i, SIO, 

— luuuft, "viMff*Nta"«i.S8t 



m 



^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Index ^^^^^^ 




^H I Miiiiiiiiimiiiii,iTii 


MftllUK doMO&dta ftvn Oulpht, V» 




^H _ "nh^^MHL" SID 


iltHripden of* ftl 




— — drlVM rrom n«mf«, 9DC 






Maqiiu. dOQ 




Pi«Ju*, 305 






SIO 








^^^^H OUMCUtf. 104 






^^^V Chlb«4iml «t, Tl 






^M ^HlliolAJtiBAdnU. kt, 111 


UtDP uf , 2Ta 




I'Orvt OenioUMt" JO 






(tTtninaot ^1 9w 




bQiTlAi to Ron«. 3U 




^^B rvpnnliuicfl ci, S6f 


bciur* Hnger of Rffniy IV, . Ml 




^H Driaa a U, SM 


Indlaraivni. StT 






i<-ijDi.>y# to y^nuinj, 1*3 




''ivy of bor r*c<* C0 






litinrr UbovA of. lOS 






IflBH Iwr Botif nvori STI 




^^1 Uaxtua, la Marqatattt* of Tumor— 

^H aubIdi of. as 


muTlwt of, SO 




^m Gnyar; VIL •»« 170 






^^1 Mp«aUao* of* SiO 


" Miotma ol th* Tiber." M*J 




^H revolt af« 33S 


plaadBforHunr^lV,, l7G 




^^L iMUlhATTOf, dOK 


Hnnr? V.'SW 




^^^H Umlii.8i,CkLti0dn)Drpn, 111 






^^^H MMfld*, 4 vidvH, i;a 


|irt»iiiib »i <:uri>iibt!tim oi^ 




^^^^ hliiM* tb« Ou\1uu1b, 108 


- — - GrPBuryTlI., llfl 




^V Bftil lllia«brud, USD 


Bl^phfD tX., C3 




^H uut th* CriuiLd«n, fiirT 


VioEorll.^*^ 




^H u »mmftiiiliir, 77, 303 


Viator 111-, afiC 




^^1 ^^ u oomwpaaA«Dt, ICd, S79 


' proBont at G^nnefl jtt Sl«u. A* 




^^1 ^^ It (il«|}MiMir» lOT 


ao&ib'bed of Gngcry viL 






247 








^H ^^M mu'luT«r» ITS 


rr., ws 




^^1 ^^ tA nurtf, I^L, t!SA 


— ~ lAottioooail fltUffljjoryTH-, 




^H u pLirli>l. 


Vita 




^H M fltrilcKut) 313 


— - prisoner Id Gornaauy, 56 




^H -^^ «« 4lu(JeotH ^1. S7S 


— — prumlsoK *[J lu Victor Til,, SM 




^H ■! hmiQ, 358 


— — puVjlirljlilDiiicJ b^ AlrsnDdof,?^ 




^H at Sftlttrar^, HW, UJ 


ntlGoe hof bpqu»tt« Urbiu,!^ 




^^1 Ifpjitrfo^i. mJ>th4T "i. IS 


ic Piuo4i n., £iv 


^^t^_ leqnoftLhi TufiauiT tu ihnOhanih , 


< reaHiTOA GrAfr^tj'ft Uitt b1«tiM> 


^^^K 


£47 


^^^H lirtli oi, 18 


— vbTC^fl Irom n«nrj V., ^^ 


^^^^^ Brrciroc^f Ulh«r of, 16 


— ~ roportvd Anih oi, 33G ^M 


^H^ tiroLUar i^f, L7 


raiASM Cn^ory V li.. i»9 H 


^^H ^^ eliuneiAr ^1, 3.1V 


UrbiLa II., vfjfl ^1 


^H flbUdhoad oJ. 17 


- — Victor HL. Sfit H 


^^1 '' — oomla^^ ^^Bori VII. t> Bt 


'-^ Baada&nijj ii^alcsL SfkraoetUpSSi^l 


^H AaiEfb. S2G 


tffuib g-T, »4S ■ 


^^1 <Oaro^a of, Vl7 


— — imouB^niiJtil (□LLTTui^ cJ, SB6 ^1 


^H «' i:iBUftiit«- or St p«|0t/>5R5, »4i 


or^i rtfloiduriuM to Action, 38(1 ^| 


^H dBiitfa <ii, «[U 


^^ *' ViJ-o^rarcnt tu LrrtnS»rf1«j"^^| 


^^^^^ dafoatBd, aS9 


TiflitM by UnogoTj VII, Vl S 


^^H 


1 









Index ^^M 


^JUalUiU TUlUd h; H<ini7 V,, Stf 


»r«TBU«lDfB«lLj, lOl ^^^^1 


^^^— Butoftl ri-. A2tt 


THonA Gnj^oty Til. , ^J ^^^^^| 


fjT^ Urljaii IL. "-Wtt 


— — *ir affAiiiM SAnrnBi, 104 ^^^^| 


^|r — Hall* Orvf^otj VIJ. «» 8*]en«. 


^^^^^M 


^^K mo 


Oath of ChBrl«Q«fae. SflQ ^^^^| 


H|^— Ramu, ^fi 


Ol>|i»nlj«kD, Ci*il« or, U1 ^^^H 


^^* votIe* hftfifl*r fnt OiiBkdftn, 3W7 


Ottk. f^E Pal'^r D&mUn> Bishop <J, f^ ^^^H 


t_^ -^ Nomumn. lOi 


Otbo. }it, Rliihop r>r UninhTirv. »]7 ^M 


^MttU^'t Anur aofuioJ, 20i 


at obHqulM of Unorj tW, iM ^M 


^- bHlUul riotorj, 3i4 


ClUa d« CbAllUoa. Oftnlipal, ?M H 




cbftfuMr «f, 303 ^^^^| 


ctvwhkI ft* Urtwi n.i £69 ^^^H 


[. « M[hBD4llT« jni[>l1r^ wotkA, 3T3 


QtlAlh#<irf>at, ^^^H 


to -^^ ItUurr In hnlib, AAfi 


Bi 3^ ^^^^^1 


F vifii lu Hoifh tfl Onnoblt, I'.i-J 




Uil iUs<v, »A» 


1 lihnv7dufl«R«-l,?fiN 


^^^^H 




bUuU> UlMh'yp 4f. ^^^^1 


Italy, hi 


Puc^ II.. Canlin*] R*nl«r— ^^^^| 


■ M ■ tninift^* nppait«d ijr Dctjfj, 3M 


aL CuinM«^ ASO ^^^^1 


^ Uftrqdute. 31 


boyti^oJ of, fJCt ^^^^^1 


<- onEkalAtikn, S41 


oiiikr*itoi ft. riOil ^^^^^1 


^- — ' rdOiBiv trttvUtoJ l« 81 PbtorV, 


Otftuqllt Mblildn, 3H> ^^^^H 


US 


Dona*wD«i of, 325 ^^^^H 




ranAiliaii of « Mttt ^^^^^M 


BwrificM fof th» rbowh, syr 


bi>lda Oooneik la Pnftos, 211 ^^^^| 


~^ wwifui] buLllp. M 


iDiprfaonad br Bmry Y., »4 ^^H 
rapaaUoM of, dftO ^^^H 


-. ifikniktfv. JWl 


iiorilt fr«iD Cad^mi^ 909 


radrM i« Fruin, 19* ^^^H 


nyv*f< ot iTmuflh, JS3 


r«tvM««Raa*,Sn ^^^H 


«aecDUful jlrftt0jf7» ^<3 


aiarv of, SOS ^^^H 

tTOBblM0f,M4 ^^^H 


trlnvphuit rniTrj", ftft 


* ir|j[llaiHrc l&S 


noflUHon of, »t h Si« ^^^H 


llwtlDB of S&KHi nohlu, 1113 




Mcnobor)?, CHtbnlrAl ^1. I9T 


Jlontv Ckbjuuci, 10 


P<1ar» 91, Dftrnfao. hS^< Diaan, 4, 13, ^H 


Afcbot nr SAd 


44,eS,««,«T, 10t,!>l« ^^H 




Ffter tho Ibrnilt, m ^^^H 


— — Detidcriu. Al>bL>L uf. IM 


PblLp L. Klx« o< Kiwkco. »1 ^^H 


OrWor J VU, , bab lUl l4, 33S 


iinwnaiiiiiliiHnT fat CTrbaa IL, ^^^^| 


BtfrphoB IX. ftt, «S 


■H ■ 


Vioior nr. did* *i, 9£C 


kI«w iballor t» Pv»l a , 3tt ^H 

— Hanrj IV. vriU* to. SI< ^H 




Kjcculd Piba«ii, 151* 


fWODCltad (o Iba Dolr Bm, St3 ^^^H 


Nicholii U.. Ocnnt* Uibop ol 


ItlCBlLJ*. Bli^iup v<. S34 ^^^^H 


Fkrcuco. OS 


ini*. C^^Ebcdml ofn iSS ^^^H 


dH«not*t frf, <• 


Pifui'j, KipcoId, I£ft ^^^^^1 


erownnl. Gft 


PlAMDtiA, l''>1|rira «f. 3W> ^^^H 


-- — OnniifU nf. HA 


I'opav HmiA of ibaCtsrcli. 144 ^^^H 


- — dcfith of. 70 


— — aDpp«rt*d hj llinrr IV,, 971 
Xomut Mid MAtildB. 2U 




OliB«Bia,li ^^^H 


•* ■■Igbb4ar*, tOe 


DttBMBllL.lS ^^^^1 


«CMF* Lao IX. . 38 

Mi«r Rnna, MO 




laltalj.SOa 


XlcbolM IL, B0 ^^^H 


3S 


^^H 



^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Index ^^^^^^^ 




IM»en«ar7 Vn., HIMe«4>id. »] 
^^ Hhuo. ArehUabop at G<l<«kB, 


L>] 


^H UrbtaD. »» 


tUA Btobop »r OnaebU Itt 


^H VWlorlL.U 


— - O^o «r Ctaii*, IS 


^H VWlgo-nL^MO 


^^1 PapM, alMiliMi of. 0w KlMtiai, S, 4, 


1« 


^H n 


— tMlX..>^ 


^^H PortOi Mill vi, 140 


P*bir,7T, et, 197, SSG,SSr,«II 




IHUr teaUiK Bldtioip «f OiU. i 


^H Prad«BttM, IT 


SMfain CL, CvaUftI Fr<]'l«n'. 


^H Ujnis oTh UA 




appealMCocVnyndEHtk. 


^^1 BaMi«, DUbop fff, too 


•^— - — »t M«iM CmmtiiM9t CO 


^H «l UallldB'fl dMth, S3& 


^H Rwriot Miifldn i1to< a«r, a^ST 


brott)«c * f Bnlriah » 




dMth of, 4« 


^^^ «kd««D pLipa. 903 




^^^^ U*l«r7 qU ^i 




^^^B Rb«|iu, 2fl» 


— - tpdtJc off C8 


^ W, 9», nb, 390, »l, 39IL 


Sannnd i»fHC«4 ^y fJoniuiic, 10« 


Victor to. AtTuli ftmy acKnl 


^H nW. 284, flU, 2il. UA 


m 


^H Eobwl «d Bonundy, £90 

^H ftMM0iiiMwd,2as 


SnxQiu Appeal lo flnifary TD. , 101 


^M — dwthor.804 


cloot Baddptiu Kin^ m 

rcTolt of. lAl 


^^H Romuii, ChftflouLftgut, Empur^T af 


^^^^^^^ S»H 


InfttBMit of, tO!f 


^^^^^^^Hj^ie^ ooa&MfnUan 1o, 


Sinily, NormHhB ts. 104 J 


^^^^^^^^^^ C»tiaaiULii. 3t\ 


Alatu^, OoiuKll aU C7 n 


^ — ari»i!ory VTt, (ifllCumioil la, SSI 


HmadA4ft, e^. »9. 120. iSf, £71 


^^1 — oto^ttj \u. ciQii*. sn2 


SiiXL<ffiUdbI prelitttti «id OnBTt ^- \ 


^^m GuiadBiNl QbUn. 'JHfr 


33& ' 


^^B ^^ a«if7 IV. ihtnitiH VE4 


dfKTt ll«iiry |V», Sift 


^H Unlildii In, 4a, flC^ 


ti Lon.biifd>, ice 


^linjDDy, 4 1 


^H ?Hul H rctuJU Id, m 


gucannffffaiviit of, 9U 1 


^^M — — PopHOfoimo'iiTi' J^Tf Goroi^tlaA 


< H^orj TO. iDAauaa<jA» ^4 


^H ItM« Boficlkjt origin c(, UDl 


— — Hildiibruai] cumbikvi, hA 


^^1 -^ — fihiniGUr at. 107 


iu Kngluil. m, :JVf 


in KriBflt, ^fl i 


^^1 ^— cliQAon Sliiif ly Saiom, IVS 


in Oermu^. 00. 3S7 


^H dvfltli vf> 1^ 


— — lawji Agaioitt 08 | 


^^1 ^— (lro(!brj VU. DctdBcrcva to, IBf 




^^H VDtiaded by QodfrdT Dif Bobillon, 


-^— pmflfti n, M, a2A "1 


^H ivii 


spread pf, fill 




Spinip H^firjTV. n, 164 


^^H Sarvt AuBuJm of AuiCiLp 46 


lurid ^f Henry IV. »i, f^ 


^^H - - Aanalu trf MimlibA. U! 


Cuhwlralof, ;Wi 


^^1 — — Danvdicl, fouJidcr «f DvaoiJktaa« 


rionrr IT, ^xtiu, Iti4 


^H Ordor, 10 


— — lli>ttrv IV. mtot frum, J74 


^^M ^^ Brooo, fonodor t/t C^rtbitfliUt 


St Anghlu {ft€ Anffaliy)^ 36 1 


^H OnlflFT 26 A 


_ JabafAleriin/il?, t^A. II 


^^^^^ _ 0r«sci7 3. Ih« QtMI. Ul 


^ John, C>n(in» ErffuUr of, 71, IDA 


^^^B 


1 







^^^^^^^V^^l 


^B Index ^^M 


ht M»n\n, C^lhQdn]«r,T1, Itl 


Ui-lii>n n„ Ou-dliul Otto— ^^^H 


^ Huy Miji^r. ISA 


f orgtw V«nTi«vtafe. ttO ^^^^M 


holdi 4^ouDei] Ld Uomt, fCf ^^^^H 


— iVQi'a, Manuti^ry n', AH 


In A rnilfl. ?7? ^^^H 


— P»t«r^* III, V«L»UJ 


In Btri, llfft ^^^^^H 


falbitt. thi^ of, 100 


ia donnfiUt* SOI ^^^^^^H 


^^ PwrfBrii-, Diile uf, SOa 


— iq PiaoDDtiB, aw ^^^^^H 




huiiburnd kj Ihc Cburchi 'JlKf ^^^^^| 


L ra^lir ignimt Hunrf IT., IGl 


ladmtfy ni, ^9!> ^^^H 


Bylvofier IV., Abbot or KiiriB ftt, 301 


la ^^^^H 


JonmPT* Ihrooih Fniin. t9i ^^^^M 




rijUn^ upuu U&tildA, 2M ^^^^M 


:w^ 


rotiu&a Lc itompt 2Wf ^^^^H 


r fllRtllor. BM 


^^^^H 


fvp*DtAlw« Atjd ilfffrlh of, 33tf 


VwsLU, GrvffOfT VII. H, \70 ^^^B 




Vtol«r U . [Hb«lun], 44 ^^^H 


;Tabi>. « TitacftD. 344 




kloiradinL OjuhqU vU Z$fi 


m^*^ Uibao n. «t. i&i 


<— dMlii of, AD ^^^H 


^Hft«T, IDAfltllU: fri, ICt^ 


bMit oil <S ^^^1 


^^^feni in Konio, ^1&. Vd] 


— . Tiitti littraukny. fin ^^^H 


TlKH^Arrj, &far<]iiiiHt4i f>f, HI 


Vutor III. . C4F<lEri*l DMid«rta^ ftW ^^^H 


HrlLpliH-.f of linEliilintid, A 


— ^ Atih(4 of HoDl* Cteabo, SM ^^^M 


'— -^ blnbpUov of )[ilI1cIk, 1( 


•■ pitriot. 3M ^^H 




- — oluuMtor <if. VtT ^^^^M 


'- Amxh «l Vicbor Ji, m, lH 


e^rvoAlieD af, Mf) ^^^^H 


r Bnp*r«r B«cir7 Tn. Lu radon, R4 


-^ dvatb (rf, SAT ^^H 


t HniTtV. 1>^it«4,»>«, -fir, aU5 


^ «H>pH to H«lll*<kMllO, M> ^^^^1 




Icdnrlrrcf. 2AT ^^^H 

aa Lk IX , « ^^^H 


- B«r7 V. u ally trC flSii 


Igjally ef, OCff 


_ ni1« Iron 84 Av«Id. M4 ^^^H 


tIjIU BM*t«a4«. MS ^^H 


b UfiDrni forU&cUilfe, S4L 


VoaoiMt briri^ fiTjiDA «f ttobMt ^^^H 




anfeaft^. l'?^^ ^1 


. VrhtLD U. In, Mfl, SDH 


V#r4n, bnriiU |tlitu of BUiUAa'a faai' ^^^1 




lud, IM ^^^1 


Uhimji Up. Cauhhai, Otto— 


VktlQIUlL ^47 ^^H 


L AUm»I oJ 0Iu7, AAA 


TiHpnDV UkliU« M. 9}1 ^^H 


^^^^1 


f haruildr dT 3(U 


Wvu, AH otx*Tph, 20, aaa ^^^H 


ohAAiH hiitbtnil rnr \UltU4, 3K1 


Udlia of HtTirti, VM ^^^H 


eonUmtli vlib dlfUonlUai* VTl 


l^BOd ot, SH9 ^^^H 


cut<>UBlitiu (if. ?rl!t 


Wllbui a« OMqUKir. ITS ^^H 


bln^VM CrtiaAdaft, 2^1 


UMoti froB Qn^ny TO. ta. ^^H 


d««thof. 39« 


l(l» ^^H 


lUuoUttff*!, V71 


UilhAD KdIwb, S«I. »I ^^H 


«>iupu trom Vx ArvCalo. VM 


Wonni, IHol of, ISfl ^^H 


«lBainmut])ut4> ThUlp L, 294 


BMMttnf xU 153 ^^^H 


^^^^H 


^^1 


^H.. 


fl 




'l^'ko '295 671 



THE BORROWER WILL BE CHARGED 
AN OVERDUE FEE IF THfS BOOK IS 
NOT RETURNED TO THE LIBRARY ON 
OH BEFORE THE LAST DATE STAMPED 
BELOW, NON-RECEIPT OF OVERDUE 
NOTICES DOES NOT EXEMPT THE 
BORROWER FROM OVERDUE FEES. 

Harvard College Wldener Ltbfary 
Cambridge, MA 021 38 (617)495-2413
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