Chapter III: Part 3

Now against the inferiour sort of people, knowing right well that hee was generally hated, hee prepared these remedies for his estate: All their armour was taken from them, they were crushed downe with change of calamity, which held them prostrate vnder yoke, and brake the very heart of their courage: leauing them no hope to be relieued, no hope to rise into any degree of libertie, but by yeelding entire obedience vnto him. Those who either resisted or fauoured not his first entrance, he bereaued of all meanes afterward to offend him; holding them downe, and keeping them so lowe, that their very impotencie made him secure. All such as had their hand in any rebellion, albeit they were pardoned their liues, lost their liuings, and became vassals to those Lords to whom their possessions were giuen. And if they attained any thing afterward, they held it onely at the pleasure of their Lords; at the pleasure of their Lords they might bee despoyled.

Hee much condemned the iudgement of _Swanus_ the _Dane_, sometimes King of _England_, who permitted those whom hee had vanquished, to retaine their former both authoritie and estates: whereby it happened, that after his death, the inhabitants were of force to expell the strangers, and to quit themselues both from their societie and subiection. Hereupon many seuere lawes were made; diuers of all sorts were put to death, banished, stripped of their wealth, disabled in their bodies by vnusuall variety of punishments; as putting out the eyes, cutting off the hands and such like: not onely to diminish his feares, if they were suspected; but sometimes if they were of wealth, to satisfie therewith either his pleasure or wants. His cruelty made the people rebellious, and their rebellions made him the more cruell; in which case many Innocents were made the oblations of his ambitious feares. Many heauy taxations were imposed vpon them; their ancient Lords were remoued, their ancient lawes and policies of State were dashed to dust; all lay couched vnder the Conquerours sword, to bee newly fashioned by him, as should bee best fitting for his aduantage.

Hee erected Castels in diuers parts of the Realme, of which the Towre neere _London_ was the chiefe, which afterward was increased both in compasse and in strength by addition of the outward walls. In these he planted garrisons of _Normans_, as if it had bene in a hostile Countrey; not without oppression to the people although they remained quiet, and sufficient to suppresse them if they should rebell. Thus he secured the Realme against a generall defection; as for particular stirres, they might happily molest him, but endanger him they could not. _Exceter_, _Northumberland_, and some other parts did rise against him in armes; but being vnable to maintaine their reuolt, their ouerthrow did much confirme his State.

Hee either imitated or concurred with _Caesar_ in aduise: For, as _Caesar_ inuaded the _Germans_ which kept the great forrest of _Ardenna_, not with his owne Souldiers, but with his aides out of _Gallia_; gaining thereby victory ouer the one, and securitie from the other, without any dispence of the _Romane_ blood: so after the Kings great victory against the valiant, but too aduenturous King _Harold_, when many of the English fled into _Ireland_, and from thence with fresh both courage, and supplies returned into _England_; commaunded by two of _Harolds_ sonnes; hee encountred them onely with _English_ forces. In the first conflict the Kings partie was ouerthrowen, and the valiant leader _Ednothus_ slaine, who had bene master of the horses to King _Harold_. In the second his enemies were so defeated, as they were neuer able to make head againe. So the victorers being weakened, and the vanquished wasted, the King with pleasure triumphed ouer both. Likewise when he was occasioned to passe the Seas into _Normandie_, either to establish affaires of gouernement, or to represse rebellions, which in his absence were many times raised; he drew his forces out of _England_, and that in a more large proportion then the importance of the seruice did require. Hee also tooke with him the chiefe men of _English_ blood, as well to vse their aduise and aide, as also to hold them and their friends from working innouation in his absence.

He enclosed the great Forrest neere vnto the Sea in _Hamshire_, for which he dispeopled villages and townes, about the space of thirtie miles, to make a desert for beasts of chase; in which place afterward two of his sonnes, _Richard_ and _William_ ended their liues; _Richard_ by a fall from his horse, and _William_ by the stroke of an arrow. The Kings great delight in hunting was made the pretence of this Forrest; but the true end was rather, to make a free place of footing for his _Normans_ and other friends out of France, in case any great reuolt should be made. Diuers other parts of the Realme were so wasted with his warres, that for want both of Husbandrie and habitation, a great dearth did ensue; whereby many were inforced to eate horses, dogs, cats, rats, and other loathsome and vile vermine: yea, some absteined not from the flesh of men. This famine and desolation did especially rage in the North parts of the Realme. For the inhabitants beyond _Humber_, fearing the Kings secret hate, so much the more deepe and deadly because vniust; receiued without resistance, and perhaps drew in the Armie of the King of _Sueueland_, with whom _Edgar Atheling_ and the other _English_ that fled into _Scotland_ ioyned their power. The _Normans_ within _Yorke_ fired the suburbs, because it should not be a lodging for their enemies: but the strength of the winde caried the flame into the Citie, which consumed a great part thereof, with the Minster of S. _Peter_, and therein a faire Librarie. And herewith whilest the _Normans_ were partly busied, and partly amazed, the enemies entred, and slue in _Yorke_, in _Duresme_, and thereabout, three thousand _Normans_; among whom were many of eminent dignitie, as well for birth, as for place of their charge. But in short time the King came vpon them, and hauing partly by Armes, and partly by gifts dispatched the strangers, exercised vpon the _English_ an ancient and assured experience of warre, to represse with maine force a rebellion in a State newly subdued. Insomuch as all the land betweene _Duresme_ and _Yorke_, except onely the territorie of S. _Iohn_ of _Beuerlace_, lay waste for the space of nine yeeres, without inhabitants to manure the ground.

And because conspiracies and associations are commonly contriued in the night, he commanded, that in all Townes and villages a Bell should be runge in the euening at eight of the clocke; and that in euery house they should then put foorth their fire and lights, and goe to bed. This custome of ringing a Bell at that houre, in many places is still obserued.

And for that likenesse is a great cause of liking and of loue, he enioyned the chiefe of the _English_ (and these were soone imitated by the rest) to conforme themselues to the fashions of _Normandie_, to which they had made themselues no strangers before. Yea, children in the schoole were taught their letters and principles of grammar in the _Norman_ language. In their speech, attire, shauing of the beard, seruice at the Table; in their buildings and houshold furniture, they altogether resembled the _Normans_.

In the beginning of his reigne he ordeined that the Lawes of King _Edward_ should be obserued, together with those Lawes which hee did prescribe: but afterwards he commanded that 9. men should be chosen out of euery shire, to make a true report what were the Lawes and customes of the Realme. Of these hee changed the greatest part, and brought in the customes of _Normandie_ in their stead: commanding also that causes should be pleaded, and all matters of forme dispatched in _French_. Onely hee permitted certaine _Dane_-Lawes, (which before were chiefly vsed in _Northfolke_, _Suffolke_, and _Cambridge_-shire) to be generally obserued; as hauing great affinitie with his _Norman_-customes; both being deriued from one common head.

Likewise at the great suit of _William_ a _Norman_ then Bishop of _London_, he granted a Charter of libertie to that Citie, for enioying the vse of K. _Edwards_ Lawes: a memoriall of which benefite, the Citizens fixed vpon the Bishops graue, being in the middest of the great West Ile of S. _Pauls_. Further, by the counsaile of _Stigand_ Archb. of _Canterburie_, and of _Eglesine_ Abbot of S. _Augustines_ (who at that time were the chiefe gouernours of _Kent_) as the King was riding towards _Douer_, at _Swanescombe_ two mile from _Grauesend_, the _Kentish_ men came towards him armed, and bearing boughes in their hands, as if it had bene a moouing wood; they encloased him vpon the sudden, and with a firme countenance, but words well tempered with modestie and respect, they demanded of him the vse of their ancient Liberties and Lawes: that in other matters they would yeeld obedience vnto him: that without this they desired not to liue. The King was content to strike saile to the storme, and to giue them a vaine satisfaction for the present; knowing right well, that the generall customes & Lawes of the residue of the Realme, would in short time ouerflow these particular places. So pledges being giuen on both sides, they conducted him to _Rochester_, and yeelded the Countie of _Kent_ and the Castle of _Douer_ into his power.

In former times many Farmes and Mannors were giuen by bare word, without writing, onely with the sword of the Lord, or his head-peece; with a horne or standing goblet, and many tenements with a quill, with a horse-combe, with a bow, with an arrow; but this sincere simplicitie at that time was changed. And whereas Charters and deeds were before made firme by the subscription of the partie, with crosses of gold, or of some other colour; then they were firmed by the parties speciall Seale, set vpon waxe, vnder the _Teste_ of three or foure witnesses.

He ordained also his counsaile of State, his Chancery, his Exchequer, his Courts of Iustice, which alwaies remoued with his Court. These places he furnished with Officers, and assigned foure Termes in the yere for determining controuersies among the people: whereas before all suites were summarily heard and determined in the _Gemote_ or monthly conuention in euery hundred, without either formalities or delay.

He caused the whole Realme to be described in a censuall Roll, so as there was not one Hide of land, but both the yerely rent and the owner thereof, was therein set downe; how many plowlands, what pastures, fennes, or marishes; what woods, parkes, farmes and tenements were in euery shire; and what euery one was worth. Also how many villaines euery man had, what beasts or cattell, what fees, what other goods, what rent or commoditie his possessions did yeeld. This booke was called _The Roll of Winton_, because it was kept in the Citie of _Winchester_. By the _English_ it was called _Doomes day booke_; either by reason of the generalitie thereof, or else corruptly in stead of _Domus Dei booke_; for that it was layed in the Church of _Winchester_, in a place called _Domus Dei_. According to this Roll taxations were imposed; sometimes two shillings, and sometimes sixe shillings vpon euery hide of land (a hide conteyning 20. acres,) besides ordinarie prouision for his house.

In all those lands which hee gaue to any man, he reserued _Dominion in chiefe_ to himselfe: for acknowledgement whereof a yeerely rent was payd vnto him, and likewise a fine whensoeuer the Tenant did alien or die. These were bound as Clients vnto him by oath of fidelitie and homage; And if any died his heire being in minoritie, the King receiued the profits of the land, and had the custodie and disposing of the heires body, vntill his age of one and twentie yeeres.

It is reported of _Caligula_,[23] that when he entended to make aduantage of his penal Edicts, he caused them to be written in so small letters, and the tables of them to be fastened so high, that it was almost impossible for any man to read them. So the King caused part of those Lawes that he established, to be written in the _Norman_ language, which was a barbarous and broken _French_, not well vnderstood of the naturall _French_, and not at all of the vulgar _English_. The residue were not written at all, but left almost arbitrarie, to be determined by reason and discretion at large. Hereupon it followed, partly through ignorance of the people, and partly through the malice of some officers of Iustice, who many times are instruments of secret and particular ends; that many were extreamely intangled, many endangered, many rather made away, then iustly executed.

But here it may be questioned, seeing these Lawes were layed vpon the _English_, as fetters about their feet, as a ponderous yoke vpon their necke, to depresse and deteine them in sure subiection; how it falleth, that afterward they became not onely tolerable, but acceptable and well esteemed.

Assuredly, these lawes were exceeding harsh and heauy to the _English_ at the first: And therefore K. _William Rufus_, and _Henry_ the first, at such time as _Robert_ their eldest brother came in armes against them to challenge the crowne, being desirous to winne the fauour of the people, did fill them with faire promises, to abrogate the lawes of K. _William_ their father, and to restore to them the Lawes of K. _Edward_. The like was done by K. _Stephen_, and by K. _Henry_ the second; whilest both contending to draw the State to himselfe, they did most grieuously teare it in pieces. The like by others of the first Kings of the _Norman_ race, whensoeuer they were willing to giue contentment to the people: who desired no other reward for all their aduentures and labours, for al their blood spent in the seruice of their Kings, but to haue the Lawes of K. _Edward_ restored. At the last the Nobilitie of the Realme, with great dispence both of their estates and blood, purchased a Charter of libertie, First from K. _Iohn_, which was soone reuoked, as violently enforced from him: afterwards from King _Henry_ the third, which remained in force. And hereby the sharpe seuerity of these lawes was much abated.

In that afterwards they became, not onely tolerable, but easie and sweete, and happily not fit to bee changed, it is by force of long grounded custome, whereby those vsages which our ancestors haue obserued for many ages, do neuer seeme either grieuous or odious to bee endured. So _Nicetas_ writing of certaine Christians, who by long conuersing with the _Turkes_, had defiled themselues with Turkish fashions, _Custome_[24] (saith he) _winneth such strength by time, that it is more firme then either Nature or Religion_. Hereupon _Dio. Chrysostome_ compareth Customes to a King,[25] and Edicts to a Tyrant; because we are subiect voluntarily to the one, but by constraint and vpon necessitie to the other. _It is manifest_ (saith _Agathias_) _that vnder whatsoeuer law a people hath liued, they doe esteeme the same most excellent and diuine_.[26] _Herodotus_ reporteth, that _Darius_ the sonne of _Hysdaspis_, hauing vnder his Dominion certaine _Grecians_ of _Asia_, who accustomed to burne their dead parents and friends, and certaine nations of _India_, who vsed to eate them; called the _Grecians_ before him: and told them that it was his pleasure, that they should conforme themselues to the custome of the _Indians_, in eating their deceased friends. But they applied all meanes of intreatie and perswasion, that they might not be inforced, to such a barbarous, or rather brutish obseruation. Then hee sent for the _Indians_, and mooued them to conformitie with the _Grecians_; but found that they did farre more abhorre to burne their dead, then the _Grecians_ did to eate them.

Now these seuerities of the King were much aggrauated by the _English_, and esteemed not farre short of cruelties. Notwithstanding hee tempered it with many admirable actions both of iustice and of clemencie and mercie: for which hee is much extolled by the _Normane_[27] writers. Hee gaue great priuiledges to many places; & the better to giue the people contentment, and to hold them quiet, he often times renued the oath which first he tooke at his Coronation: namely, _to defend the holy Church of God, the pastors thereof, and the people subiect to him iustly to gouerne, to ordaine good lawes, and obserue true iustice, and to the vttermost of his power to withstand all rapines and false Iudgements._ Such of the nobilitie as had been taken in rebellion, were onely committed to prison; from which they were released in time: such as yeelded and submitted themselues, were freely pardoned, and often times receiued to fauour, trust, and imployment.

_Edric_, the first that rebelled after hee was King, he held neere and assured vnto him. _Gospatric_ who had been a stirrer of great commotions, he made Earle of _Glocester_, and employed him against _Malcolme_ King of _Scots_. _Eustace_ Earle of _Bologne_, who vpon occasion of the Kings first absence in _Normandie_ attempted to surprize the Castle of _Douer_, he imbraced afterward with great shew of loue and respect. _Waltheof_ sonne to Earle _Siward_, who in defending the Citie of _Yorke_ against him, had slaine many _Normans_, as they assayed to enter a breach, hee ioyned in marriage to his Neece _Iudeth_. _Edgar_ who was the ground and hope of all conspiracies, who after his first submission to the King, fled into _Scotland_, and maintained open hostilitie against him, who pretended title to the Crowne as next heire to the _Saxon_ Kings, he not onely receiued to fauour, but honoured with faire enterteinments. Hee furnished him to the warre of _Palestine_, where he atteined an honourable estimation with the Emperours of _Almaine_ and of _Greece_. After his returne he was allowed 20. shillings a day by way of pension, and large liuings in the Countrey, where he mellowed to old age in pleasure and vacancie of affaires; preferring safe subiection, before ambitious rule accompanied both with danger and disquiet.

Thus was no man more milde to a relenting and vanquished enemie; as farre from crueltie, as he was from cowardice, the height of his spirit, ouerlooking all casuall, all doubtfull and vncertaine dangers. Other great offenders he punished commonly by exile or imprisonment, seldome by death. Onely among the _English_ Nobilitie Earle _Waltheof_ was put to death, for that after twice breaking allegiance, he conspired the third time with diuers both _English_ and _Normans_ to receiue the _Danes_ into _England_, whilest the King was absent in _Normandie_. And for the same conspiracie _Ralph Fitz-aubert_ a _Norman_ was also executed; who had furnished 40. ships for the King in his voiage for _England_: for which and for his other seruices in that warre, he was afterward created Earle of _Hereford_. But present iniuries doe alwayes ouerballance benefits that are past.

He much delighted in hunting and in feasting. For the first he enclosed many forrests and parks, and filled them with Deere; which he so deerely loued, that he ordained great penalties for such as should kill those or any other beasts of game. For the second hee made many sumptuous feasts, especially vpon the high Festiuall dayes in the yeere. His _Christmasse_ hee often kept at _Glocester_, his _Easter_ at _Winchester_, his _Whitsontide_ at _Westminster_; and was crowned once in the yeere at one of these places, so long as he continued in _England_. To these feasts he inuited all his Nobilitie, and did then principally compose himselfe to courtesie, as well in familiar conuersation, as in facilitie to grant suits, and to giue pardon to such as had offended. At other times he was more Maiesticall and seuere; and imployed himselfe both to much exercise and great moderation in diet; whereby he preserued his body in good state, both of health and strength, and was easily able to endure trauaile, hunger, heat, cold, and all other hardnesse both of labour and of want.

Many wrongs he would not see, of many smarts he would not complaine; he was absolute master of himselfe, and thereby learned to subdue others. He was much commended for chastitie of body; by which his Princely actions were much aduanced. And albeit the beginning of his reigne was pestered with such routs of outlawes and robbers, that the peaceable people could not accompt themselues in surety within their owne doores; hee so well prouided for execution of Iustice vpon offenders, or rather for cutting off the causes of offence; that a young maiden well charged with gold, might trauaile in any part of the Realme, without any offer of iniurie vnto her. For if any man had slaine another vpon any cause, he was put to death; and if he could not be found, the hundred paide a fine to the King; sometimes 28. and sometimes 36. pounds, according to the largenesse of the hundred in extent. If a man had oppressed any woman, he was depriued of his priuie parts. As the people by Armes, so Armes by lawes were held in restraint.

He talked little and bragged lesse: a most assured performer of his word: In prosecution or his purposes constant and strong, and yet not obstinate; but alwayes appliable to the change of occasions: earnest, yea violent, both to resist his enemies, and to exact dueties of his Subiects. He neither loued much speech, nor gaue credite to faire; but trusted truely to himselfe, to others so farre as he might not be abused by credulitie.

His expedition (the spirit of actions and affaires) may hereby appeare. He inuaded _England_ about the beginning of October; He subdued all resistance, he suppressed all rising Rebellions, and returned into _Normandy_ in March following. So as the time of the yeere considered, a man should hardly trauaile through the land in so short a time as he did win it. A greater exploit then _Iulius Caesar_ or any other stranger could euer atchieue vpon that place.

He gaue many testimonies of a Religious minde. For he did often frequent Diuine seruice in the Church, he gaue much Almes, hee held the Clergie in great estimation, and highly honoured the Prelats of the Church. He sent many costly ornaments, many rich presents of gold and siluer to the Church of _Rome_; his _Peter_ paiments went more readily, more largely then euer before. To diuers Churches in _France_ after his victorie he sent Crosses of gold, vessels of gold, rich Palles, or other ornaments of great beautie and price. He bare such reuerence to _Lanfranck_ Archbishop of _Canterburie_, that he seemed to stand at his directions. At the request of _Wolstane_ Bishop of _Worcester_, he gaue ouer a great aduantage that he made by sale of prisoners taken in _Ireland_. He respected _Aldred_ Archbishop of _Yorke_, by whom he had bene crowned King of _England_, as his father. At a time vpon the repulse of a certaine suit, the Archbishop brake forth into discontentment, expostulated sharpely against the King, and in a humorous heat offered to depart. But the King staied him, fell downe at his feet, desired pardon, and promised satisfaction in the best maner that he could. The Nobilitie that were present, put the Archbishop in minde that he should cause the King to arise. Nay (answered the Archb.) let him alone; Let him still abide at S. _Peters_ feet. So with much adoe he was appeased, and entreated to accept his suite. And so the name of Saint _Peter_, and of the Church hath been often vsed as a mantle, to couer the pride, passions and pleasures of disordered men.

He founded and enlarged many houses of Religion: Hee furnished Ecclesiasticall dignities, with men of more sufficiencie and worth then had been vsuall in former times. And because within his owne Dominions studies did not flourish and thriue, by reason of the turbulent times, by reason of the often inuasions of barbarous people, whose knowledge lay chiefly in their fists; hee drew out of _Italy_ and other places many famous men, both for learning and integritie of life, to wit, _Lanfranke_, _Anselm_, _Durand_, _Traherne_ and others. These he honoured, these hee aduanced, to these hee expressed great testimonies both of fauour and regard.

And yet he preferred _Odo_ his brother by the mothers side to the Bishopricke of _Baion_, and afterwards created him Earle of _Kent_: A man proud, vaine, mutinous, ambitious; outragious in oppression, cruelty and lust; a prophaner of Religion, a manifest contemner of all vertue. The King being called by occasions into _Normandie_, committed vnto him the gouernment of the Realme: In which place of credite and command he furnished himselfe so fully with treasure, that hee aspired to the Papacie of _Rome_: vpon a prediction then cast abroad, (which commonly deceiue those that trust vnto them) that the successour of _Hildebrand_ was named _Odo_. So filled with proud hopes, hee purchased a palace and friends at _Rome_; hee prepared for his iourney, and drew many gentlemen to be of his traine. But the King returning suddenly out of _Normandie_, met with him in the _Isle of Wight_, as he was ready to take the Seas. There hee was arrested, and afterwards charged with infinite oppressions; also for seducing the Kings subiects to forsake the Realme; and lastly, for sacrilegious spoyling of many Churches. Hereupon his treasure was seized, and he was committed to prison; not as Bishop of _Baion_, but as Earle of _Kent_, and as an accomptant to the King. And so he remained about foure yeeres, euen vntill the death of the King. His seruants, some in falshood, and some for feare, discouered such hidden heapes of his gold, as did exceede all expectation: yea, many bagges of grinded gold were drawen out of riuers, wherein the Bishop had caused them for a time to be buried. After this hee was called the Kings spunge: as being preferred by him to that place of charge, wherein he might in long time sucke that from others, which should at once be pressed from himselfe. By this meanes the King had the benefit of his oppression without the blame; and the people (being no deepe searchers into secrets of State) were so well pleased with the present punishment, as they were thereby, although not satisfied, yet well quieted for all their wrongs.

Towards the end of his reigne he appointed his two sonnes, _Robert_ and _Henry_, with ioynt authoritie, gouernours of _Normandie_; the one to suppresse either the insolencie, or leuitie of the other. These went together to visit the _French_ King, lying at _Conflance_: where entertaining the time with varietie of disports, _Henry_ played with _Louis_ then _Daulphine_ of _France_ at Chesse, and did win of him very much. Here at _Louis_ beganne to growe warme in words, and was therein little respected by _Henry_. The great impatiencie of the one, and the small forbearance of the other, did strike in the end such a heate betweene them, that _Louis_ threw the Chesse-men at _Henries_ face, and called him the sonne of a bastard. _Henrie_ againe stroke _Louis_ with the Chesse-boord, drew blood with the blowe, and had presently slaine him vpon the place, had hee not been stayed by his brother _Robert_. Hereupon they presently went to horse, and their spurres claimed so good haste, as they recouered _Pontoise_, albeit they were sharpely pursued by the _French_.

It had been much for the _French_ King to haue remained quiet, albeit no prouocations had happened, in regard of his pretence to many pieces which King _William_ did possesse in _France_. But vpon this occasion he presently inuaded _Normandie_, tooke the Citie of _Vernon_, and drew _Robert_, King _Williams_ eldest sonne, to combine with him against his owne father. On the other side King _William_, who neuer lost anything by loosing of time, with incredible celeritie passed into _France_; inuaded the _French_ Kings dominions, wasted and tooke many principall places of _Zantoigne_ and _Poictou_, returned to _Roan_, and there reconciled his sonne _Robert_ vnto him. The _French_ King summoned him to doe his homage for the kingdome of _England_. For the Duchie of _Normandie_ he offered him homage, but the kingdome of _England_ (he said) he held of no man, but onely of God, and by his sword. Hereupon the _French_ King came strongly vpon him; but finding him both ready and resolute to answere in the field: finding also that his hazard was greater then his hope; that his losse by ouerthrow would farre surmount his aduantage by victory; after a few light encounters he retired: preferring the care to preserue himselfe, before the desire to harme others.

King _William_ being then both corpulent and in yeeres, was distempered in body by meanes of those trauailes, and so retired to _Roan_; where hee remained not perfectly in health. The _French_ King hearing of his sickenesse, pleasantly said, that hee lay in child-bed of his great belly. This would haue been taken in mirth, if some other had spoken it; but comming from an enemie, it was taken in scorne. And as great personages are most sencible of reproach, and the least touch of honour maketh a wide and incurable wound; so King _William_ was so nettled with this ieast, that hee swore _By Gods resurrection and his brightnesse_, (for this was the vsuall forme of his oath) that so soone as hee should be churched of that child, he would offer a thousand lights in _France_. So presently after his recouery hee entred _France_ in armes, tooke the Citie of _Meux_, set many Townes and Villages and corne fields on fire; the people abandoning all places where he came, and giuing foorth, that it was better the nests should be destroyed, then that the birds should be taken in them. At the last he came before _Paris_, where _Philip_ King of _France_ did then abide: to whom he sent word, that he had recouered to be on foote, and was walking about, and would be glad likewise to find him abroad. This enterprise was acted in the moneth of August, wherein the King was so violent and sharpe, that by reason both of his trauaile, and of the vnseasonable heate, he fell into a relapse of his sicknesse. And to accomplish his mishap, in leaping on horse-backe ouer a ditch, his fat belly did beare so hard vpon the pommell of his saddle, that hee tooke a rupture in his inner parts. And so ouercharged with sickenesse, and paine, and disquietnesse of minde, hee returned to _Roan_; where his sickenesse increased by such dangerous degrees, that in short time it led him to the period of his dayes.

During the time of his sickenesse hee was much molested in conscience,[28] for the blood which hee had spilt, and for the seueritie which he had vsed against the _English_: holding himselfe for that cause more guilty before God, then glorious among men. Hee spent many good speeches in reconciling himselfe to God and the world, & in exhorting others to vertue and Religion. He gaue great summes of money to the Clergie of _Meux_, and of some other places in _France_, to repaire the Churches which a little before he had defaced. To some Monasteries he gaue tenne markes of gold, and to others sixe. To euery Parish Church hee gaue fiue shillings, and to euery Borough Towne a hundred pounds for reliefe of the poore. Hee gaue his Crowne, with all the ornaments therto belonging, to the Church of Saint _Stephen_ in _Caen_, which hee had founded: for redeeming whereof, King _Henry_ the first did afterwards giue to the same Church the Mannour of _Brideton_ in _Dorcetshire_. Hee reteined perfect memorie and speach so long as he reteined any breath. Hee ended his life vpon the ninth day of September: full both of honour and of age, when hee had reigned twenty yeeres, eight moneths and sixteene dayes; in the threescore and fourth yeere of his age.

So soone as he was dead, the chiefe men that were about him went to horse, and departed forthwith to their owne dwellings: to prouide for the safety of themselues, and of their families and estates. For all men were possessed with a marueilous feare, that some dangerous aduentures would ensue. The seruants and inferiour Officers also fled away; and to double the basenesse of their disposition, tooke with them whatsoeuer was portable about the king; his Armour, plate, apparell, household-stuffe, all things were held as lawfull bootie. Thus the dead body was not onely abandoned, but left almost naked vpon the ground: where it remained from prime vntil three of the clocke, neither guarded nor regarded by any man. In the meane time the Religious persons went in procession to the Church of S. _Geruase_, & there commended his soule to God. Then _William_ Archb. of _Roan_ commaunded, that his body should be caried to _Caen_, to be there buried in the Church of S. _Stephen_. But hee was so forsaken of all his followers, that there was not any found who would vndertake either the care or the charge. At the last _Herlwine_ a countrey Knight, vpon his owne cost, caused the body to be embalmed and adorned for funerall pompe: then conueyed it by coach to the mouth of the Riuer _Some_; and so partly by land, and partly by sea brought it to _Caen_.

Here the Abbot with the Couent of Monks came foorth with all accustomed ceremonies, to meet the corps: to whom the whole multitude of the Clergie and Lay-people did adioyne. But when they were in the middest of their sad solemnities, a fire brake out of a certaine house, and suddenly embraced a great part of the towne. Hereupon the Kings body was once againe abandoned; all the people running from it in a headlong haste; some to saue their goods, others to represse the rage of the flame, others (as the latest nouelty) to stand and looke on. In the end a few Moncks returned, and accompanied the Hearse to the Abbey Church.

Afterward all the Bishops and Abbots of _Normandy_ assembled to solemnize the funerall. And when the diuine Office was ended, and the coffin of stone set into the earth, in the presbytorie, betweene the Quire and the Altar (but the body remained vpon the Herse) _Guislebert_ bishop of _Eureux_ made a long Sermon; wherein hee bestowed much breath in extolling the honourable actions of the King. In the end he concluded; That forsomuch as it was impossible for a man to liue, much lesse to gouerne, without offence; First, by reason of the multitude of a Princes affaires; Secondly, for that he must commit the managing of many things to the conscience and courtesie of others; Lastly, for that personall grieuances are many times beneficiall to the maine body of State; in which case, particular either losses or harmes, are more then manifoldly recompenced by the preseruation or quiet of the whole: If therefore any that were present did suppose they had receiued iniurie from the King, he desired that they would in charitie forgiue him.

When the Bishop had finished his speach, one _Anselme Fitz-Arthur_ stood vp amongst the multitude, and with a high voice said; _This ground whereupon wee stand, was sometimes the floore of my fathers house; which that man of whom you haue spoken, when he was Duke of Normandie, tooke violently from my father, and afterward founded thereon this Religious building. This iniustice hee did not by ignorance or ouersight; not vpon any necessitie of State; but to content his owne couetous desire. Now therefore I doe challenge this ground as my right; and doe here charge you, as you will answere it before the fearefull face of Almightie God, that the body of the spoiler be not couered with the earth of mine inheritance._

When the Bishops and Noble men that were present heard this, and vnderstood by the testimony of many that it was true, they agreed to giue him three pounds presently for the ground that was broken for the place of burial; and for the residue which he claimed, they vndertooke he should be fully satisfied. This promise was performed in short time after, by _Henrie_ the Kings sonne, who onely was present at the Funerall; at whose appointment _Fitz-Arthur_ receiued for the price of the same ground one hundred pounds.

Now when the body was to be put into the earth, the sepulchre of stone which stood within the graue, was hewen somewhat too strait for his fat belly; whereupon they were constrained to presse it downe with much strength. By this violence, whether his bowels burst, or whether some excrements were forced out at their natural passage, such an intolerable stinck proceeded from him, as neither the perfumes that smoaked in great abundance, nor any other meanes were able to qualifie. Wherefore the Priests hasted to finish their office, and the people departed in a sad silence; discoursing diuersly afterward of all these extraordinarie accidents.

A man would thinke that a sepulchre thus hardly attained, should not easily againe bee lost. But it happened otherwise to this vnquiet King; not destined to rest, either in his life or after his death. For in the yeere 1562. when _Chastilion_ tooke the Citie of _Caen_, with those broken troupes that escaped at the battaile of _Dreux_; certaine sauage Souldiers of diuers nations, led by foure dissolute Captaines, beate downe the Monument which King _William_ his sonne had built ouer him, and both curiously and richly adorned with gold & costly stones. Then they opened his Tombe, & not finding the treasure which they expected, they threw forth his bones with very great derision & despight. Many _English_ souldiers were then in the Towne, who were very curious to gather his bones; whereof some were afterwards brought into _England_. Hereby the report is conuinced for vaine, that his body was found vncorrupt, more then foure hundred yeeres after it was buried. Hereby also it is found to be false, that his body was eight foote in length. For neither were his bones proportionable to that stature, (as it is testified by those who saw them) and it is otherwise reported of him by som who liued in his time; namely, that he was of a good stature, yet not exceeding the ordinary proportion of men.

And this was the last end of all his fortunes, of all that was mortall in him besides his fame: whose life is too much extolled by the _Normans_, and no lesse extenuated by the _English_. Verely, he was a very great Prince: full of hope to vndertake great enterprises, full of courage to atchieue them: in most of his actions commendable, and excusable in all. And this was not the least piece of his Honour, that the Kings of _England_ which succeeded, did accompt their order onely from him: not in regard of his victorie in _England_, but generally in respect of his vertue and valour.

For his entrance was not by way of conquest but with pretence of title to the Crowne: wherein he had both allowance and aide from diuers Christian Princes in Europe. He had also his partie within the Realme, by whose meanes he preuailed against the opposite faction, (as _Caesar_ did against _Pompey_) and not against the entire strength of the State.

Againe, hee did not settle himselfe in the chaire of Soueraignetie, as one that had reduced all things to the proud power and pleasure of a Conquerour, but as an vniuersall successor of former Kings, in all the rights and priuiledges which they did enioy. Hee was receiued for King by generall consent; He was crowned with all Ceremonies and Solemnities then in vse; Hee tooke an oath in the presence of the Clergie, the Nobilitie, and of much people, for defence of the Church, for moderate and carefull gouernement, and for vpright administration of iustice.

Lastly, during the whole course of his gouernement, the kingdome receiued no vniuersall change, no losse or diminution of honour. For, neither were the olde inhabitants expelled, as were the _Britaines_; neither was the kingdome either subiected or annexed to a greater: but rather it receiued encrease of honour, in that a lesse State was adioyned vnto it. The change of customes was not violent and at once, but by degrees, and with the silent approbation of the _English_; who haue alwaies been inclinable to accommodate themselues to the fashions of _France_. The grieuances and oppressions were particular, and with some appearance either of iustice, or of necessitie for the common quiet; such as are not vnusuall in any gouernement moderately seuere. So the change was chiefly in the stemme and familie of the King: which whether it be wrought by one of the same nation (as it was in _France_ by _Pepine_ and _Capett_) or by a stranger, (as in the same Countrey by _Henry_ 5. and _Henry_ 6. Kings of _England_) it bringeth no disparagement in honour; it worketh no essentiall change. The State still remained the same, the solid bodie of the State remained still _English_: the comming in of many _Normans_, was but as Riuers falling into the Ocean; which change not the Ocean, but are confounded with the waters thereof.

This King had by his wife _Matild_, daughter to _Baldwine_ Earle of _Flanders_, foure sonnes; _Robert_, _Richard_, _William_ and _Henrie_: Hee had also fiue daughters; _Cicely_, _Constance_, _Adela_, _Margaret_ and _Elianor_.

_Robert_ his eldest sonne surnamed _Courtcuise_, by reason of the shortnesse of his thighs, succeeded him in the duchie of _Normandie_. He was a man of exceeding honourable courage and spirit, for which cause he was so esteemed by the Christian Princes in the great warre against the _Saracens_, that when they had subdued the Citie and territorie of _Hierusalem_, they offered the kingdome thereof first vnto him. Yet afterwards, either by the malice of his Fortune, or for that he was both suddaine and obstinate in his owne aduise (two great impediments that valour cannot thriue) he receiued many foiles of his enemies, which shall be declared in their proper place. Before the King made his descent into _England_, hee gaue the duchie of _Normandie_ vnto him: but whether he did this onely to testifie his confidence, or whether afterwards his purpose changed, being often demanded to performe this gift, he would neither deny nor accomplish his word, but enterposed many excuses and delayes; affirming that he was not so surely setled in _England_, but the duchie of _Normandie_ was necessary vnto him, both for supply for his seruices (which he found like _Hydraes_ heads to multiply by cutting off) and also for an assured place for retreit, in case hee should be ouercharged with extremities. Hereupon _Robert_ vnable to linger and pine in hopes, declared openly against him in armes. _Philip_ King of _France_ was ready to put fuell to the flame; who as he neuer fauoured in his owne iudgement the prosperous encreases of the King of _England_, so then he was vigilant to embrace all occasions, either to abate or limit the same. And thus _Robert_ both encouraged and enabled by the King of _France_, inuaded _Normandie_, and permitted his souldiers licentiously to wast; to satisfie those by spoile, which by pay he was not able to maintaine. At the last he encountred the King his father in a sharpe conflict, before the castle of _Gerberie_, wherein the King was vnhorsed and wounded in the arme; his second sonne _William_ was also hurt, and many of his souldiers slaine. And albeit _Robert_ so soone as he knew his father by his voyce, allighted forthwith, mounted him vpon his owne horse, and withdrew him out of the medley; yet did he cast vpon his sonne a cruell curse, which lay so heauie vpon him, that he neuer prospered afterward in any thing which hee vndertooke. And although after this he was reconciled to his father, and imployed by him in seruices of credit and weight, yet did the King often bewray of him an vnquiet conceit, often did he ominate euill vnto him: yea, a little before his death he openly gaue forth, _That it was a miserable Countrey which should be subiect to his dominion, for that he was a proud and foolish knaue, and to be long scourged by cruell Fortune_.

_Richard_ had erected the good expectation of many, as well by his comely countenance and behauiour, as by his liuely and generous spirit. But he died yong by misaduenture, as he was hunting within the New-forrest, before he had made experiment of his worth. Some affirme that he was goared to death by the Deere of that Forrest, for whose walke his father had dispeopled that large compasse of ground: others report, that as he rode in chase, hee was hanged vpon the bough of a tree by the chaps: others more probably doe write, that he perished by a fal from his horse. He was buried at _Winchester_ with this inscription: _Hic iacet Richardus filius Wilielmi senioris Berniae Dux_.

_William_ did succeed next to his father in the Kingdome of _England_. To _Henry_, the King gaue at the time of his death fiue thousand pounds out of his treasure; but gaue him neither dignitie nor lands: foretelling, that hee should enioy the honour of both his brothers in time, and farre excel them both in dominion and power. Whether this was deuised vpon euent; or whether some doe prophesie at their death; or whether it was coniecturally spoken; or whether to giue contentment for the present; it fell out afterward to be true. For hee succeeded _William_ in the Kingdome of _England_, and wrested _Normandie_ out of the possession of _Robert_. Of these two I shall write more fully hereafter.

His daughter _Cicelie_ was Abbesse of _Caen_ in _Normandie_. _Constance_ was married to _Allen Fergant_ Earle of _Britaine_. _Adela_ was wife to _Stephen_ Earle of _Blois_, to whom she bare _Stephen_, who after the death of _Henry_ was King of _England_. _Margaret_ was promised in marriage to _Harold_; she died before hee attained the Kingdome, for which cause he held himselfe discharged of that oath which he had made to the Duke her father. _Elianor_ was betroathed to _Alphonso_ King of _Gallicia_; but she desired much to die a Virgine: for this she daily prayed, and this in the end she did obtaine. After her death her knees appeared brawnie and hard, with much kneeling at her deuotions. Assuredly it will be hard to find in any one Familie, both greater Valour in sonnes, and more Vertue in daughters.

In the beginning of this Kings reigne, either no great accidents did fall, or else they were obscured with the greatnesse of the change: none are reported by the writers of that time.

In the fourth yeere of his reigne, _Lanfranke_ Abbot of _Caen_ in _Normandie_, but borne in _Pauie_, a Citie of _Lumbardie_, was made Archbishop of _Canterbury_: And _Thomas_ a _Norman_, and _Chanon_ of _Bayon_ was placed in the Sea of _Yorke_. Between these two a controuersie did arise at the time of their consecration, for prioritie in place: but this contention was quieted by the King, and _Thomas_ for the time subscribed obedience to the Archb. of _Canterbury_. After this they went to _Rome_ for their Palles, where the question for Primacie was againe renued, or as some affirme, first moued before Pope _Alexander_. The Pope vsed them both with honorable respect, and especially _Lanfrank_, to whom he gaue two Palles, one of honour, and the other of loue: but their controuersie he referred to be determined in _England_.

About two yeeres after it was brought before the King and the Clergie at _Windsore_. The Archbishop of _Yorke_ alleadged, that when the _Britaines_ receiued the Christian faith, in the time of _Lucius_ their King _Eleutherius_ then Bishop of _Rome_, sent _Faganus_ and _Damianus_ vnto them, who ordeined 28. Bishops, and two Archbishops within the Realme, one of _London_, and the other of _Yorke_. Vnder these the Church of _Britaine_ was gouerned almost three hundred yeeres, vntill they were subdued by the _Saxons_. The _Saxons_ remained Infidels vntill _Gregorie_ Bishop of _Rome_ sent _Augustine_ vnto them. By his preaching _Ethelbert_ King of _Kent_ was first conuerted to the Christian faith: By reason whereof _Augustine_ was made Archbishop of _Douer_, by appointment of Pope _Gregorie_; who sent vnto him certaine Palles with his letter from _Rome_. By this letter it is euident, that _Gregorie_ intended to reduce the Church of the _Saxons_ to the same order wherein it was among the _Britaines_; namely, to be vnder twelue Bishops and two Archbishops; one of _London_ and the other of _Yorke_. Indeede he gaue to _Augustine_ during his life, authority and iurisdiction ouer all Bishops and Priests in _England_: but after his decease he ioyneth these two Metropolitanes in equall degree, to constitute Bishops, to ouersee the Church, to consult and dispose of such things as appertaine to the gouernement thereof, as in former times among the _Britaines_. Betweene these he put no distinction in honour, but only as they were in prioritie of time: and as he appointeth _London_ to be consecrated by no Bishop, but of his own Synod, so he expresseth, that the Bishop of _Yorke_ should not bee subiect to the Bishop of _London_. And albeit _Augustine_ for the reason before mentioned, translated the Sea from _London_ to _Douer_, yet if _Gregorie_ had intended to giue the same authoritie to the successours of _Augustine_ which hee gaue vnto him, he would haue expressed it in his Epistle: but in that he maketh no mention of his successours, he concludeth, or rather excludeth them by his silence.

The Archbishop of _Canterbury_ alleaged, that from the time of _Augustine_, vntill the time of _Bede_, (which was about 140. yeeres) the Bishops of _Canterburie_ (which in ancient time (said he) was called _Douer_) had the Primacie ouer the whole land of _Britaine_, and _Ireland_; that they did call the Bishops of _Yorke_ to their Councels, which diuers times they kept within the Prouince of _Yorke_; that some Bishops of _Yorke_ they did constitute, some excommunicate, and some remoue. He alleaged also diuers priuiledges granted by Princes for the Primacie of that Sea; diuers graunted from the Apostolike Sea to confirme this dignitie in the successours of _Augustine_: that it is reason to receiue directions of well liuing, from whence we first receiued directions of right beleeuing; & therfore as the Bishop of _Canterbury_ was subiect to the Bishop of _Rome_, because hee had his faith from thence; for the very same cause the Bishop of _Yorke_ should be in subiection to the Bishop of _Canterbury_: that like as the Lord said that to all the Bishops of _Rome_, which hee said to S. Peter; so that which _Gregorie_ said to _Augustine_, hee said likewise to all his successours. And whereas much is spoken of the Bishop of _London_, what is that to the Archbishop of _Canterbury_? For, neither is it certaine that _Augustine_ was euer resident at _London_, neither that _Gregorie_ appointed him so to be.

In the end it was decreed, That _Yorke_ for that time should be subiect to _Canterburie_; that wheresoeuer within _England_ the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should hold his Councell, the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should come vnto it, with the Bishops of his Prouince, and be obedient to his decrees: that when the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should decease, the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should goe to _Canterburie_, to consecrate him that should succeed: that if the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should decease, his successour should goe to _Canterbury_, or to such place as the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should appoint, there to receiue his Consecration, making first his oath of Canonicall obedience. And thus was the contention for this first time taken vp; but in succeeding times it was often renued, and much busied the Clergie of the Realme.

In the ninth yeere of the reigne of King _William_ a Councell was holden at _London_, where another matter of like qualitie and nature was decreed: namely, that Bishops should translate their Sees from villages to Cities; whereupon in short time after, Bishops Sees were remoued, from _Selese_ to _Chichester_, from _Cornewall_ to _Exeter_, from _Wells_ to _Bath_, from _Shirbourne_ to _Salisburie_, from _Dorcester_ to _Lincolne_, from _Lichfield_ to _Chester_, and from thence againe to _Couentree_. And albeit the Archbishop of _Yorke_ did oppose against the erecting of a Cathedrall Church in _Lincolne_, because he challenged that Citie to be of his Prouince; yet _Remigius_ Bishop of _Dorchester_, being strong both in resolution and in friends, did prosecute his purpose to effect. Not long before the Bishopricke of _Lindafferne_ otherwise called _Holy land_, vpon the riuer _Tweed_, had bene translated to _Durhame_.

In the tenth yeere of his reigne the cold of Winter was exceeding memorable, both for sharpenesse and for continuance: For the earth remained hard frozen from the beginning of Nouember, vntill the middest of April then ensuing.

In the 15. yere a great earthquake happened in the month of April; strange for the strong trembling of the earth, but more strange for the dolefull and hideous roaring which it yeelded foorth.