Count Henry of Narbonne, who was both a good man and a hero, lived at
the time when Kaiser Karl ruled over the Franks. He was held in much
esteem by the emperor, because of his valorous deeds, and had received
many fiefs in addition to his paternal estates. After a time he
withdrew to his own castle, and, together with his wife, occupied
himself with the education of his seven sons, and several daughters.
Years passed on, and the sons all grew up to man’s estate. One day
their father called them to him, and said that he had a story to tell
them, to which they must listen attentively.
“You must know,” he said, “that once, long ago, I sank exhausted on the
field of battle, worn with fighting, and covered with wounds. The enemy
rushed up to slay me, but a faithful squire defended me at the risk of
his own life. Just as further help arrived, he sank severely wounded on
the blooming heather beside me. We were removed from the field, and
every care and attention was lavished on us. I got better, but he grew
weaker every day. He was not afraid to die, but he was troubled about
the fate of his little son, whom he would leave an orphan, for his wife
had died some time before. I comforted the man who had given his life
for me, by telling him that I would be a father to the boy, and that if
he grew up fit for the trust, he should be my heir, whether I had
children of my own or not. He is now a gallant knight and brave
warrior, and I am proud to call him my pupil. Now, my sons, tell me, do
you wish me to keep my word to my dying preserver, or do you desire to
share my estate amongst you?”
Then one of the sons, named William, answered for the rest, and said
that they would all rather be beggars than that their father should
break his word to his faithful squire.
“Not beggars,” cried the Countess Irmschart. “All that I brought my
husband belongs to you, and your father has already endowed you with a
priceless inheritance; namely, his piety, his good faith both to God
and man, his courage, and all the lessons in knightliness he has given
you. This is an inheritance that cannot be taken from you.”
“Well, my sons,” continued the count, “you may go to the emperor’s
court in the full certainty that you will get on there, if you are true
to the lessons you have learnt in your youth.”
The young warriors followed their father’s advice. They were well
received by the emperor, at first for Count Henry’s sake, and then for
their own. They fought against the Moors when Eigoland invaded Gascony,
and helped to avenge the death of the heroes at Ronceval. After their
return from Spain, the emperor knighted the brothers, and gave them
considerable fiefs. William, who enjoyed the special favour of his
liege lord, was made governor of the whole southern coast of France. He
showed himself a vigilant warden of the coast. Wherever any Saracens
ventured to land, there he was with his troopers to beat them back, and
sometimes even seized their ships.
After the death of Kaiser Karl, surnamed the Great, his son Ludwig
succeeded him on the throne. The first action of the new ruler was to
go about the country, and see in what condition it was. Amongst other
places, he visited the castle where Count William lived with his
youngest sister. Ludwig was so taken with the maiden’s beauty and
sweetness, that he fell in love with her, and soon afterwards married
her. This circumstance increased Count William’s influence at court,
and enabled him to keep up a larger army, and do what he otherwise
considered necessary for the proper defence of the coast.