Chapter I: Preface

Some people bring home a bundle of sketches from their summer holiday--water-colour memories of cliff, of sea, ruined castle, and ancient abbey. I brought back from the Channel Islands these pages here printed, as a kind of bundle of sketches in black and white, put together day by day as a holiday-task, and forming a string, as it were, on which the memories of ramble after ramble were threaded,--rambles from end to end of Guernsey, and rambles, too, among the treasures of the Guille-Allés Library. I enjoyed my holiday all the better, as I peopled the cliffs and glens with the shadows of eight hundred years ago, and I hope that others may find some reality and some pleasure in the result as it is given here.

If any inquire into the real historical foundations for the story, I refer them to the few notes at the end of the book, which will reveal without much doubt where fiction begins and fact ends. I hope I may be allowed a little license in the treatment of facts. There is--is there not?--a logic of fiction, as well as a logic of facts. At least there seemed to be as I wrote the story, and I hope no one who reads it will be inclined to quarrel with any part of it because its only basis is--imagination. Anyway, I will shelter myself under the great words of a great man, in the preface of one of the great books of the world: "For herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and _renommée_. And for to pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in, but for to give faith and belief that all is true that is contained herein, ye be at your liberty: but all is written for our doctrine, and for to beware that we fall not to vice nor sin, but to exercise and follow virtue by the which we may come and attain to good fame and renown in this life, and after this short and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven" (Preface of William Caxton to "The Book of King Arthur").

W.J. FERRAR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Of how I, _Nigel de Bessin_, was brought up by the monks of _the Vale_ in _Guernsey Island_, and how on a certain day the abbot gave me choice of two lives, and which I chose. 5

CHAPTER II.

Of _Vale Castle_ hard by the Abbey, and how I was sent with a letter to _Archbishop Maugher_, and by the way first saw the Sarrasin pirates at work. 12

CHAPTER III.

Of my _Lord Maugher_ and his _Familiar Demon_. How he received the abbot's letter, and how I was courteously entertained at his house of _Blanchelande_. 18

CHAPTER IV.

Of the coming of the Sarrasins in force, and of the building of their château--Of _Brother Hugo's_ confidence in God, and how I rang the alarm-bell at _St. Pierre Port_. 28

CHAPTER V.

Of what befell the abbot's envoys to _Duke William_, our liege lord, and more particularly _Brother Ralf_, and how we were hemmed in by our foes. 34

CHAPTER VI.

Of our passing from cloister to castle, and of the burning of _Vale Abbey_--Of the siege of the castle, and the exploits of _Brother Hugo_. 40

CHAPTER VII.

Of _Le Grand Sarrasin_, and of the renewed attack upon _Vale Castle_--Of my first deeds of arms, and how the _Moors_ were beaten back. 47

CHAPTER VIII.

How I was sent forth by my lord abbot to seek protection of _Duke William_, and of what befell me by the way of the pirates. 54

CHAPTER IX.

Of our battle on the rocks of _Jersey Isle_, and how _Simon_ gave up his life, and how I was taken captive and brought back. 61

CHAPTER X.

How I was brought before _Le Grand Sarrasin_, and of his magnificence--How I saw _Folly_ in his chamber, and was lodged in a cavern under earth. 65

CHAPTER XI.

By what means I was delivered from _Le Grand Sarrasin_, and how I found shelter with the priest of _St. Apolline's_. 72

CHAPTER XII.

Of my second setting-forth for _Normandy_, and in what guise I took passage. 80

CHAPTER XIII.

How I arrived at _St. Malo_, and, proceeding to the Abbey of _St. Michael de Tombelaine_, found friends to set me on my road. 85

CHAPTER XIV.

How, being given letters to _Duke William_ by the Abbots of _St. Michael_ and of _Bec_, I set out for _Coulances_, and of what befell me on my way. 93

CHAPTER XV.

How I saw an evil face at a casement, and how at my uncle's house of _St. Sauveur_ I heard tell of my father--And of what happed on our getting forth for _Valognes_. 99

CHAPTER XVI.

How, at length I was brought before _William, Conquestor Invictissimus_, of all soldiers the greatest, and most invincible of dukes--Of the manner he received my mission, and of the expedition of _Samson d'Anville_. 106

CHAPTER XVII.

Of the journey of our ships to relieve the Brethren of the Vale, and how we fought a great battle with the _Moors_ outside the _Bay of L'Ancresse_. 113

CHAPTER XVIII.

The story of the relief of _Vale Castle_. 122

CHAPTER XIX.

How we set forth to attack _Le Château du Grand Sarrasin_--Of the _Normans'_ valour, and of the flight of our foes. 128

CHAPTER XX.

Of the sore slaughter in the glen of _Moulin Huet_, and on the shore, and how _Le Grand Sarrasin_ was slain, and of his secret. 135

CHAPTER XXI.

Conclusion. How, the above matters being finished, I was made known to my father. 143

HISTORICAL NOTES.

PAGE

A. Archbishop Maugher 147

B. Vale Abbey 148

C. Vale Castle 148

D. Visit of Duke Robert 149

E. The Sarrazins in Guernsey 150

F. The Expedition of Samson d'Anville 150