THE REIGN OF WILLIAM RUFUS.
London
HENRY FROWDE
[Illustration: Colophon]
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE
7 PATERNOSTER ROW
THE
REIGN OF WILLIAM RUFUS
AND THE
ACCESSION OF HENRY THE FIRST.
BY
EDWARD A. FREEMAN, M.A., HON. D.C.L., LL.D.
HONORARY FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE.
_IN TWO VOLUMES._
VOLUME I.
Oxford:
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.
1882.
[_All rights reserved._]
PREFACE.
I have now been able to carry out the design which I spoke of in the
Prefaces to the fifth volume and to the second edition of the fourth
volume of my History of the Norman Conquest. I have endeavoured to
work out in detail the two sides of the memorable years with which I
deal in these volumes, their deep importance for general and specially
for constitutional history, and their rich store of personal and local
narrative. In the former aspect, I believe I may claim to be the first
to have dealt at length with the history of Bishop William of
Saint-Calais, a history of deep constitutional importance in itself,
and more important still with reference to the career of Anselm. It is
no small matter to be able to show that it was not Anselm, but
Anselm’s enemy, who was the first to appeal from an English court to
the see of Rome. In this matter I have, I trust, brought out into its
full importance a piece of history which has never, as far as I know,
been told at length by any modern writer, though Dr. Stubbs has shown
full appreciation of its constitutional bearings. Of less importance,
but still more novel, is the mission of Abbot Jeronto to England, to
which I have never seen any reference in any modern writer whatever.
With regard to the career of Randolf Flambard, I have now worked out
more fully many points which have been already spoken of both by
myself and by Dr. Stubbs; but I cannot claim to have brought forward
anything of great moment that is absolutely new.
In the part which consists of military and other narrative, I have, as
usual, given all the attention that I could to the topography. I have
visited every place that I could, and I have generally in so doing had
the help of friends, often with more observant eyes than my own. I
must specially thank Mr. James Parker for his help in Normandy and
Maine, the Rev. J. T. Fowler of Durham for his help in Normandy,
Maine, and Northumberland, Mr. G. T. Clark in Shropshire, Mr. F. H.
Dickinson at Ilchester, the Rev. William Hunt at Bristol, and the Rev.
W. R. W. Stephens in Sussex and Kent. I have also to thank His Grace
the Duke of Norfolk for free access to Arundel castle, and M. Henri
Chardon of Le Mans for much valuable help in that city. And, above
all, I must again thank Mr. James Parker for much more than help in
preparing the maps and plans which illustrate the book. Without him
they could not have been done at all.
In North Wales and in some parts of Normandy and France I was left to
my own inquiries. In South Wales I made no particular researches for
this volume; but I hope that an old-standing knowledge of a large part
of that country may not have been useless. Where I feel a real
deficiency is in Hampshire. I could not have made any minute inquiries
there without delaying the publication of the book for many months.
But I have in former years been at Portchester, and I have seen
something of the New Forest. And I feel pretty certain that no amount
of local research can throw any real light on the death of William
Rufus, unless indeed in the way of showing how local legends grew up.
But something might perhaps be done more minutely to illustrate the
landing and march of Duke Robert in 1101.
On this last point the place of the conference between Henry and
Robert is satisfactorily fixed in the new text of Wace published by
Dr. Andresen. I did not come across his volumes till most of the
references to Wace had been copied and printed from the edition of
Pluquet. But in the course of revision I was able in some cases to
refer to Andresen also. His text is clearly a better one than that of
Pluquet. But I cannot say that I have learned much from his notes,
perhaps from the singularly repulsive way in which they are printed.
Another German writer, Dr. Liebermann, has done good service to my
period by publishing several unpublished chronicles to which I have
often referred. Those of Saint Edmundsbury are of very considerable
local importance. But there are other things that want printing. I
hear from Mr. E. C. Waters that there lurks in manuscript a cartulary
of Colchester Abbey, which contains distinct proof that Henry the
First spoke English familiarly. I have never doubted the fact, which
has always seemed to me as clear as anything that rested on mere
inference can be. But it is something to know that there is direct
witness to the fact, though it would be more satisfactory if one could
refer to that witness for oneself. In the story, as told me by Mr.
Waters, a document partly in English is produced in the Kings
presence; the clerk in whose hands it is put breaks down at the
English part; the King takes the parchment, and reads and explains it
with ease.
I may mention one point with regard to topography in Normandy and
Maine. I have now carefully written the names of all places in
Normandy, Maine, and the neighbouring lands, according to the forms
now received, as they appear for instance on the French Ordnance map.
I am sure that people constantly read names like “Willelmus de Sancto
Carilepho,” “Robertus de Mellento,” without clearly taking in that
“Sanctus Carilephus,” “Mellentum”, &c. are names of real places, as
real as any town in England. When one reads, as I have read, of
“Bishop Karilef,” “the Honour of the Eagle,” and so forth, it is plain
that those who write in that way have no clear notion of Saint-Calais
and Laigle as real places. Yet all these towns are still there; to
most of them the railway is open, and there are trains. On the other
hand, the confusions of French writers about English places are, if
possible, more amazing. A German writer, meanwhile, is pretty sure to
know where any place, either in France or England, is, though he may
be sometimes a little lifeless in his way of dealing with it.
I have now pretty well done with the history of the Norman Conquest of
England, except so far as I still hope to put forth my story on a
scale intermediate between five――or rather seven――large volumes and
one very small one. But I should be well pleased to go on with another
piece of history of the same date, the essential importance of which
and its close connexion with that with which I have been dealing is
being always brought more and fully home to me. The Norman in the
great island of the Ocean and the Norman in the great island of the
Mediterranean naturally form companion pieces. I have made some
acquaintance with the Rogers and Williams of Sicily in their own home,
and I should be well pleased to make that acquaintance more intimate.
Palermo follows naturally on Winchester and Rouen. The pleasure-house
of William the Bad is the skeleton of the Conqueror’s Tower with a
wholly different life breathed into it by Saracenic artists. But the
points of view from which we may approach Sicily, the meeting-place of
the nations, and the rich and various sources of interest which are
supplied by the history of that illustrious island, are simply
endless.
In all technical points these volumes follow the exact pattern of the
History of the Norman Conquest. And I take a knowledge of that work
for granted, and I assume all points which I believe myself to have
explained or established in it. But I have added to these volumes,
what I have not added to any of their predecessors, a Chronological
Summary, distinct from the Table of Contents. It is, I think, a
necessary companion to a narrative in which I could not strictly
follow chronological order, but had to keep several contemporary lines
of story distinct. Alongside of the History of William Rufus I set his
Annals.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
A. D. PAGE
Character of the reign of William Rufus 3
The Norman Conquest in one sense completed, in
another undone 3
Feudal developement under Rufus and Flambard 4
Growth of anti-feudal tendencies 4
Extension of the power of England at home 4
Beginning of rivalry between England and France 5
Change in the European position of England 5
Personal character of William Rufus 5-6
His companions and adversaries; Anselm and Helias 6
Last warfare between Normans and English; results
of the struggle 6-7
The Norman kingship becomes English 7
Effects of the French war 7
Scheme of the work 8
CHAPTER II.
THE EARLY DAYS OF WILLIAM RUFUS. 1087-1090.
Character of the accession of Rufus; general
acceptance without formal election 9-10
§ 1. _The Coronation and Acknowledgement of William Rufus.
September, 1087._
Rufus the enemy of the Church, yet his election
specially ecclesiastical 10
Wishes of the late King in his favour 11
Special agency of Lanfranc 12
Sept. 8, William Rufus leaves his father’s death-bed and
1087. hastens to England 12-13
He brings with him Morkere and Wulfnoth, and
again imprisons them 13-14
Duncan and Wulf set free by Robert 13
Meeting of William and Lanfranc 15
Sept. 26. Coronation of William Rufus at Westminster 15
His special oath 16
Dec. 1087- His gifts to churches and to the poor 17-18
Jan.1088. The Christmas Assembly; Odo restored to his
earldom 18-19
Special circumstances of William’s accession; no
other available choice; comparison between
William and Robert 19-22
§ 2. _The Rebellion against William Rufus.
March-November, 1088._
Beginning of the rebellion; discontent of Odo;
influence of William of Saint-Calais 22-24
March, 1088. Gatherings of the rebels; speech of Odo;
arguments on behalf of Robert 24-26
Comparison of the elder and younger William 26-27
Geoffrey of Coutances joins the rebels 27
Treason of the Bishop of Durham; different
statements of his conduct 28-29
March, 1088. Early movements in Kent and Sussex 29
The Bishop forsakes the King; his temporalities
seized 30
He is summoned to the King’s court; action of
Ralph Paganel 31
March-May, Lands of the bishopric laid waste 32
1088.
April 16. The Easter Assembly; the rebels refuse to come 32
List of the rebels 33-35
Loyalty of Earl Hugh of Chester 34
Ravages of the rebels; of Bishop William, Roger
Bigod, and Hugh of Grantmesnil 35-36
History and description of Bristol 36-40
Bristol occupied by Bishop Geoffrey; his works;
ravages of William of Eu and Robert of Mowbray 40-41
Robert of Mowbray burns Bath 41-42
His siege and defeat at Ilchester 42-44
William of Eu plunders in Gloucestershire;
history and description of Berkeley 44-46
Rebel centre at Hereford; action of Earl Roger 46-47
The rebels march on Worcester; history and
description of the city 47-49
Action of Wulfstan; deliverance of Worcester 48-51
Movements of Odo in Kent; he occupies Rochester 52
Rochester, Tunbridge, and Pevensey 52-53
The war at Rochester; history and description of
the city and castle 52-56
Duke Robert sends over Eustace of Boulogne and
Robert of Bellême 56
The three sons of Earl Roger 57
Earl Roger at Arundel; history and description of
the castle 58-59
William of Warren; his earldom of Surrey; his
loyalty; he keeps Lewes 59-60
The King wins over Earl Roger 60-61
Robert of Mortain holds Pevensey against the King 62
Loyal Normans; Robert Fitz-hamon 62
The Church and the people for the King 63
William’s proclamations and promises; the English
arm for him 63-65
Meeting of the English army at London; William
accepted as English king 65-67
William’s march; English hatred of Odo 67
Taking of Tunbridge castle 68-70
March towards Rochester; Odo at Pevensey 70
Duke Robert fails to help the rebels 71
The English besiege Odo in Pevensey 72-73
Robert at last sends help; the Norman landing
hindered by the English 74-75
Alleged death of William of Warren 76
Pevensey surrenders; terms granted to Odo;
Rochester to be surrendered 76
The garrison of Rochester refuse to surrender;
Odo taken prisoner by his own party 77
William’s _Niðing_ proclamation; second English
muster 78
Siege of Rochester; straits of the besieged; they
agree to surrender 79-80
Lesson of the war; the King stronger than any one
noble; the unity of England 80-81
The King refuses terms to the besieged 81
Pleadings for the besieged, Odo and others; the
King grants terms 82-85
The honours of war refused to Odo; his
humiliation; he leaves England 87-89
June 4, The Whitsun Assembly; confiscations and grants;
1088. amnesty of the chief rebels 88
The Bishop of Durham again summoned 89
His dealings with Counts Alan and Odo; he comes
with a safe-conduct 90-91
The Bishop’s ecclesiastical claims; he goes back to
Durham 91-92
Sept. 8 Agreement between the Bishop and the Counts 92-93
Nov. 2. Meeting at Salisbury; trial of the Bishop; he
denies the authority of the court 95-97
Lanfranc and William of Saint-Calais 97
The charge and the Bishop’s answer 98-99
Lanfranc and Geoffrey of Coutances 100-101
Debate in the Bishop’s absence; constitution
of the court 100-101
Debate on the word _fief_ 102
The Bishop’s seven counsellors 103
He appeals to Rome; character of the appeal;
position of Lanfranc 103-106
The sentence pronounced; he renews his appeal 106-107
Dialogue between the King and the Bishop;
intervention of Count Alan 107-109
The Bishop appeals again; the final sentence 109-110
The Bishop’s demand for money; answer of
Lanfranc 110-111
The King’s offer; the Bishop gives sureties 111-112
Question of the safe-conduct; charges of the
Bishop’s men 112-113
Conditions of the Bishop’s leaving England 113-114
Nov. 14 Durham castle surrendered to the King 114
Nov. 21-26 The Bishop’s voyage delayed 115
New charges and summonses; the Bishop’s
dealings with Osmund and Walkelin 116-117
He at last sails to Normandy; his reception by
Duke Robert 117
Character and importance of the story; William
of Saint-Calais the first to appeal to Rome 117-119
Behaviour of the King, of Lanfranc, and of the
lesser actors 119-120
State of Wales; Rhys restored by a fleet from
Ireland 121
Gruffydd son of Cynan attacks Rhuddlan 122
Action of Robert of Rhuddlan; he returns to
North Wales 123
Robert at Dwyganwy; description and history of
the place 123-124
July 3 Approach of Gruffydd’s fleet; death of Robert
of Rhuddlan 124-127
His burial and epitaph 127-129
End of the Norman Conquest; its confirmation
and undoing 129-130
Tendencies to union; the new dynasty and
nobility accepted in an English character 131-132
Rufus’ breach of his promises; his general
oppression; no oppression of the English as
such 132-133
His employment of mercenaries; their presence
helps the fusion of races 133-134
Sale of ecclesiastical offices; prolongation
of vacancies 134-135
Restoration of Thurstan of Glastonbury 135
Sept. 25 Death of Geoffrey Bishop of Chichester 135
Death of Abbot Scotland of Saint Augustine’s,
Abbot Ælfsige of Bath, and Bishop Gisa of
Wells 136
1088-1122 The bishopric of Somerset granted to John of
Tours; he removes the see to Bath 136-137
He obtains the temporal lordship of Bath 137
Complaints of the canons of Wells and the monks
of Bath 138-139
Guy forced on the monks of Saint Augustine’s;
disturbances and their punishment 139-140
§ 3. _Character of William Rufus._
May 24, Death and burial of Lanfranc; his position
1089 in England and Normandy 140-142
Change for the worse in the King’s character;
rebukes of Lanfranc 142-143
Personal description of William Rufus 143-144
His conduct in youth; his filial duty; his
conduct during the rebellion 145-146
General charges against William Rufus; his
marked personality 147
His alleged firmness of purpose; his lack of
real steadiness; his unfinished campaigns 148-149
His alleged magnanimity; his boundless pride;
story of the chamberlain 149-151
His alleged liberality; his wastefulness 151-152
His rewards to the loyal troops after the
rebellion 152
His extortions 153
His generally strict government 153
His lavishness to his foreign mercenaries 153-154
1108 They are restrained by the statute of Henry 154
Stricter forest laws; story of the fifty
English acquitted by ordeal 155-157
Special vices of Rufus; old and new fashions
of dress 157-159
His irreligion; his favour to the Jews 159-161
True position of the Jews in England 160
Dispute between Jews and Christians 162
He makes the converted Jews turn back; story
of the convert Stephen 162-165
William’s defiance of God and the saints;
frequency of blasphemy 165-167
Redeeming features in Rufus; little personal
cruelty; respect for his father’s memory 167-169
His chivalrous spirit; his word when kept; and
when broken 169-171
Chivalry a new thing; William Rufus marks the
beginning of a new æra 169-171
Illustrations of the chivalrous character 171-174
Grouping of events in the reign of Rufus 174
CHAPTER III.
THE FIRST WARS OF WILLIAM RUFUS.
1090-1092.
Character of the year 1089; natural phænomena 175-176
August 11, The great earthquake 176
1089 Character of the year 1090; beginnings of
foreign adventure and domestic oppression 177
The years 1090-1091; affairs of Normandy,
Scotland, and Cumberland 177
Connexion of English and Norman history; the
same main actors in both 177
Contrast between England and Normandy as to
private war 178
The old and the new generation 179
History of Robert of Bellême 179-181
His character; his engineering skill; his
special and wanton cruelty 181-183
His enmity towards Helias, Abbot Ralph, and
others 183-184
1110 His final imprisonment by Henry 184
History and character of Robert Count of Meulan
and Earl of Leicester 184-187
His fame for wisdom and influence with Rufus
and Henry 185-186
1118 Story of his death-bed 187
§ 1. _Normandy under Robert. 1087-1090._
State of Normandy; interest of those who held
lands in both countries 188-189
Temptations to invasion 188-189
Character of Robert; his weak good-nature and
lack of justice 190-191
Spread of vice and evil fashions 191
Building of castles; garrisons kept by the
Conqueror in the castles of the nobles 192
Robert of Bellême and others drive out the
Duke’s forces 193
Robert’s lavish grants; Ivry; Brionne 194
The Ætheling Henry claims his mother’s lands 195
He buys the Côtentin and Avranchin; his firm
rule 196-197
Summer, Henry goes to England; William
1088 promises him his mother’s lands 197
He seizes them again; and grants them to Robert
Fitz-hamon 198
Autumn, Influence of Odo with Robert 198
1088 Henry comes back to Normandy with Robert of
Bellême; they are seized and imprisoned 199
Earl Roger makes war on the Duke; his
fortresses 199-200
Odo’s exhortation to Robert 200-202
Affairs of Maine; relations with Fulk of Anjou 202-204
Robert acknowledged in Maine 204
Chief men of the county; Bishop Howel, Geoffrey
of Mayenne, Helias of La Flèche 205
April 21, Appointment of Howel to the see of Le Mans;
1085 his loyalty to the Norman dukes 205-208
Temporal relations to the see of Le Mans 207
Robert before Le Mans; general submission of
the county 208-209
Aug.-Sept. Ballon holds out; description of the place;
1088 siege and surrender of the castle 209-211
Robert attacks Saint Cenery; description and
history of the place 211-215
Geroy and his descendants; Saint Cenery seized
by Mabel 214-215
Siege and surrender of Saint Cenery; blinding
of Robert Carrel 215-217
Castle granted to Robert grandson of Geroy 217
Surrender of Alençon, Bellême, and other
castles; Robert disbands his army 218-219
Robert of Bellême set free at his father’s
request 219-220
Henry set free; his good government of
Coutances and Avranches 220-222
§ 2. _The First Successes of William Rufus. 1090._
Easter, Schemes of William Rufus; assembly at
1090 Winchester; the King’s speech; war voted by
the Witan 221-224
William stays in England; his policy; his
advantages in his struggle with Robert 224-226
Power of William’s wealth; mercenaries; bribes 226-227
Submission of Saint Valery; beginning of
English action on the continent 227-228
Submission of various castles; Aumale, Eu,
Gournay, Longueville; description of Gournay
and Longueville 228-231
Ralph of Toesny and Count William of Evreux;
their kindred; enmity of their wives 231-232
Heloise of Evreux and Isabel of Toesny 232-234
War between Ralph and Count William; Ralph
vainly asks help of the Duke; he submits to
King William 234
Helias of Saint-Saens; he marries Robert’s
natural daughter 235
His faithfulness; importance of his castles;
Saint-Saens, Bures, and Arques 236-237
William’s dealings with France; Robert asks
help of Philip; Philip sets out, but is
bribed to go back 237-239
The first English subsidy; first direct
dealings between England and France; results
of Rufus’ dealings with Philip 239-241
Private wars not interrupted by the invasion;
action of Robert of Bellême 241-242
Robert of Meulan imprisoned and set free 243
Duke Robert takes Brionne 244
November, Movement at Rouen; the municipal spirit; influence
1090 of Conan; his treaty with William Rufus 245-247
A day fixed for the surrender to William; Duke
Robert sends for help 248
November 3. Henry and Robert of Bellême come to the help of
Duke Robert 248-249
Rouen in the eleventh century 249-253
Fright of Duke Robert; division in the city;
Henry sends Duke Robert away 253-256
Gilbert of Laigle enters Rouen; slaughter of
the citizens; Conan taken prisoner 256
Conan put to death by Henry 257-260
Robert brought back; treatment of the citizens;
imprisonment of William son of Ansgar 260-261
November Count William of Evreux marches against
Conches 261-266
Siege of Conches; settlement of the county of
Evreux on Roger of Conches 262-268
The three dreams; death of Roger of Conches 268-270
1100-1108 Later history of Ralph and William and their
wives 270-271
Orderic’s picture of Normandy; his English
feelings 271-272
§ 3. _Personal Coming of William Rufus. 1091._
Christmas, Assembly at Westminster 273
1090
Feb. 1091 The King crosses to Normandy 273
January Duke Robert helps Robert of Bellême; siege of
Courcy 273-274
The siege raised at the news of William’s coming 274
Treaty of Caen; cession of Norman territory to
William 275-276
Saint Michael’s Mount passes to William, the
rest of the Côtentin and Maine to Robert;
agreement to despoil Henry 277-279
Settlement of the English and Norman succession;
growth of the doctrine of legitimacy 279-280
Dealings with Henry and Eadgar; Eadgar banished
from Normandy; he goes to Scotland 280-282
Partisans on each side to be restored 282
The treaty sworn to; it stands but a little
while 283
Lent, 1091 Robert and William march against Henry 283
Henry’s preparations; Hugh of Chester and others
surrender their castles 283
Henry defends himself on Saint Michael’s Mount;
he is welcomed by the monks 284-285
Siege of the Mount; its position; character of
the siege 285-287
Personal anecdotes; story of Rufus and the
knight who unhorsed him 287-290
Contrast between William and Robert; Henry
allowed to take water, and William’s answer 291-292
Feb. 1091 Henry surrenders 292-293
Aug. 1091 William returns to England with his brothers 293
Stories of Henry’s adventures; evidence for his
presence in England in 1091 293-295
§ 4. _The Scottish Expedition of William Rufus.
August-October, 1091._
May, 1091 Affairs of Scotland; Malcolm’s invasion of
Northumberland; he is driven back 295-297
Aug. 1091 William and Robert in England; relations
between Robert and Malcolm; stronger side
of Robert and Eadgar 297-298
September 3 William’s march; state of Durham; restoration
of Bishop William; his renewed influence 298-300
Michaelmas Loss of William’s ships 300
The kings by the Scots’ Water; mediation of
Robert and Eadgar; Malcolm does homage to
William 301-304
Questions as to the betrothal of Margaret and
the earldom of Lothian 303-304
Return of William; signatures to the Durham
charters 305-306
December 23 Fresh disputes between William and Robert;
Robert and Eadgar leave England 306-307
October 15 Fall of the tower at Winchcombe 307
October 17 Great wind in London 308
1092 Fire in London 308
March 28 Consecration of the church of Salisbury 308-309
April 10 The tower and roof blown down 309
May 9 Completion of Lincoln minster; the church ready
for consecration; Thomas of York claims the
jurisdiction of Lindesey; the King orders
the consecration 309-312
May 6 Remigius dies before the appointed day; the
church remains unconsecrated 312
§ 5. _The Conquest and Colonization of Carlisle. 1092._
William’s conquest of Carlisle; popular
mistakes as to Cumberland and Westmoreland 313-314
603-685 Early history of Carlisle; it forms part of
the Northumbrian kingdom 314
Scandinavians in Cumberland; destruction of
Carlisle 315
1092 Dolfin lord of Carlisle; he is driven out; the
city restored and the castle built 315
The Saxon colony at Carlisle 316
The earldom of Carlisle; later history of the
city; the castle and the bishopric 317-318
1093 Fortunes of Henry; the men of Domfront
choose him as their lord; description of
Domfront 319-320
Henry’s wars with Robert; he wins back his
county 320-321
The castle of Saint James is granted to Earl
Hugh 321-323
CHAPTER IV.
THE PRIMACY OF ANSELM AND THE ACQUISITION
OF NORMANDY. 1093-1097.
1087-1092 Character of the early years of William Rufus;
chronological sequence of the history 325-326
1093-1098 Character of the next period; distinct lines
of story 326-328
Ecclesiastical affairs; working of the new
ideas; new position of the King 328
1089-1093 Vacancy of the see of Canterbury; influence of
Randolf Flambard 328-329
§ 1. _The Administration of Randolf Flambard._
1089-1099 Early history of Flambard; question as to his
settlement in England T. R. E. 329
His service with the Bishop of London 329-330
Flambard a priest, and said to have been Dean
of Twinham 330
Character of Flambard; his parents; his
surname; his financial skill 330-331
His probable share in Domesday; his alleged
new Domesday 331-332
His rise under Rufus; he holds the
justiciarship; growth of the office under
him 332-333
His loss of land for the New Forest 333
His systematic charges and exactions; the King
to be every man’s heir 333-335
The feudal tenure; wardship; marriage;
dealings with bishoprics and abbeys 335-336
Agency of Flambard; systematizing of the
feudal tenures 336-337
Flambard’s theory of land-holding; relief and
redemption; dealings with wills 337-339
Wardship; its oppressive working; wardship and
marriage special to England and Normandy 339-340
The two sides of feudalism; England in what
sense feudal 340-341
Flambard’s oppression falls most directly on
the greatest estates; no special oppression
of the English as such 341-342
Dealings of the tenants-in-chief with their
under-tenants 342
Submission of the nobles; position of the
king’s clerks 342-343
Position of Rufus favourable for his schemes;
effect on national unity 343-344
Abuse of the old laws 344
Dealings with church property; appointment and
investiture of bishops and abbots 345
Grant of the temporalities by the king; church
lands become fiefs; analogy between lay and
spiritual fiefs; Flambard’s inferences 346-347
Vacant prelacies held by the King; power of
prolonging the vacancy 347
Sale of bishoprics and abbeys; simony not
systematic before Rufus 347-348
Treatment of vacant churches; Flambard the
chief agent 349
Novelty of the practice; tenure in
_frankalmoign_ 350
1092-1100 Resignation and restoration of Abbot Odo of
Chertsey 350
Distinction between bishoprics and abbeys; the
vacancies longer in the case of the abbeys 350-352
English abbots; story of the appointment to an
Sees vacant in 1092 353
1091-1123 Ralph Luffa Bishop of Chichester; his
appointment and episcopate 353-354
1091 Death of Bishop William of Thetford; history
of Herbert Losinga; he buys the bishopric 354
1088-1091 Three years’ vacancy of New Minster 355
1091-1093 Herbert buys the abbey for his father Robert 355
1093 Herbert repents; receives his bishopric again
from the Pope; novelty of the act 355-356
1092-1094 Vacancy of the see of Lincoln 356
1089-1093 Vacancy of Canterbury 356
§ 2. _The Vacancy of the Primacy and the Appointment
of Anselm. 1089-1093._
Effects of the vacancy of the see of Canterbury 357
Special position of the metropolitan see;
place of the Archbishop as the leader of the
nation 358-359
Appointment to the archbishopric; the see not
granted to the King’s clerks 359
The King’s purpose to keep the see vacant; his
motives 359-361
No fear of a bad appointment 361-362
No thought of election either by the monks or
by the Witan; silent endurance of the nation 362-363
Results of the vacancy; corruption of the
clergy; lack of ecclesiastical discipline 363-365
Anselm; debt of England to foreigners; the
Burgundian saints, Anselm and Hugh 365
1080 Birth and parentage of Anselm; Aosta 366-368
Comparison of Lanfranc and Anselm; various
sides of Anselm’s character; he is not
preferred in England by the Conqueror 368-369
Anselm and Eadmer; references to Eadmer in
other writers 369-370
Childhood of Anselm; his youthful licence 370-371
1057-1060 He leaves Aosta; his sojourn at Avranches 371
1060 He becomes a monk at Bec 371
1063 He is elected Prior; stories of him as Prior 372
1078 He is elected Abbot; Bec under his government;
his widespread fame 373
His correspondence 374
Relations between Bec and England 374-376
1090 Foundation of the priory of Clare 376
Frequency of lawsuits; Anselm’s desire to do
justice 376-377
1078 His first visit to England; his friendship with
the monks of Christ Church; his first
acquaintance with Eadmer 377-378
His general popularity in England; his love
for England; his preaching and alleged
miracles 378-380
His friendship with the Conqueror and with
Earl Hugh 380-381
Feeling as to the vacancy of the archbishopric;
Anselm looked to as the coming archbishop 381-382
Earl Hugh changes the canons of Saint
Werburh’s at Chester for monks; he asks help
from Anselm 382
Anselm refuses to go; repeated messages and
refusals; he at last goes at the bidding of
his own monks 382-385
September 8, Anselm at Canterbury 385
1092
His first interview with Rufus; his rebukes of
the King; settlement of the affairs of Bec 385-387
Anselm at Chester 387
February, The King refuses him leave to go back; William’s
1093 feeling towards Anselm 388
Christmas, The Christmas assembly; the vacancy discussed by
1092-1093 the Witan; petition of the assembly to the
King 387-389
Prayers for the appointment of an archbishop
drawn up by Anselm 389-390
Character of the year 1093 390
Discourse about Anselm before the King; the
King’s mockery 390-391
He falls sick at Alveston and is removed to
Gloucester 391
Repentance of Rufus; advice of the prelates
and nobles; Anselm sent for; Rufus promises
amendment 392-393
His proclamation of reform; general
satisfaction 393-394
Beginnings of reform; prisoners set free; the
bishopric of Lincoln granted to Robert Bloet 394-395
March 6, Rufus names Anselm to the archbishopric;
1093 unwillingness of Anselm 396
Arguments of the bishops, of the King, and his
own monks 397-399
He is invested and installed by force 398-401
Anselm’s renewed protest; his parable of the
two oxen; the King orders the restitution of
the temporalities of the see 401-403
The royal right of investiture not questioned;
no scruples on the part of Anselm; later
change in his views 403-404
No ecclesiastical election; sole action of the
King; Gundulf’s letter to the monks of Bec 404-405
Anselm tarries with Gundulf; consent of the
Duke, the Archbishop of Rouen, and the monks
of Bec 406
April 17, The King’s recovery; the Easter Gemót 407
1093
The King falls back into evil ways; he recalls
his acts of mercy 407-408
He keeps his purpose as to Anselm 408-409
March-Dec. Affairs of England and Wales; dealings between
1093 William and Malcolm; designs of William on
Normandy 409-410
Action of William of Eu; he suggests an attack
on Normandy 410-411
Dealings of Rufus with the Counts of Flanders 411-412
Oct. 4 or Death of Robert the Frisian; accession of
13, 1093 Robert of Jerusalem 411-412
Interview between Anselm and the King at
Rochester; his three conditions 412-414
Anselm requires to be allowed to acknowledge
Pope Urban; question of the acknowledgement
of Popes; English feeling on the subject 414-416
The King’s answer; his special counsellors;
Count Robert of Meulan and Bishop William of
Durham 417
The King prays Anselm to take the archbishopric;
he asks for the confirmation of grants made
by him during the vacancy 418
Anselm refuses; statement of the case on both
sides; the King’s _advocatio_ of the
archbishopric 418-421
State of public feeling; special Gemót at
Winchester; Anselm receives the archbishopric
and does homage 421-422
The King’s writ; the Archbishop’s thegns;
clauses in favour of the monks 422-423
Relations of the Archbishop to the city of
Canterbury and the abbey of Saint Alban’s 423-424
1093 Death of Abbot Paul of Saint Alban’s;
four years’ vacancy of the abbey 423-424
The question as to the Pope left unsettled;
no reference to the Pope in English episcopal
appointments 424-425
Order of episcopal appointments then and now;
theory of the two systems 425-427
Sept. 25, Enthronement of Anselm; Flambard brings a suit
1093 against him on the day of his enthronement 427-428
December 4 Consecration of Anselm at Canterbury; list of
the officiating bishops 429-430
Successful objection of Thomas of York to the
phrase “Metropolitan of Britain” 430-432
Anselm’s general profession to the Roman
church 432-433
Thomas claims jurisdiction over Lincoln;
Robert Bloet’s consecration delayed 433
Christmas, Assembly at Gloucester; Anselm received by
1093-1094 the King 434
§ 3. _The Assembly at Hastings and the second Norman
Campaign. 1094._
Events of the year 1094; affairs of Normandy;
their connection with Anselm 434-435
Christmas, Robert’s challenge of William; war decreed 435-436
1093-1094
Contributions collected for the war; Anselm
unwilling to contribute; he at last gives
five hundred pounds 437-438
William first accepts the money and then
refuses it 438-440
Dispute with Bishop Maurice of London;
judgement of Wulfstan 440-441
February 2, Assembly at Hastings; fleet delayed by the
1094 wind 441-442
February 11 Consecration of the church at Battle; William
and Anselm at Battle 442-445
February 3, Death of Bishop Geoffrey of Coutances; his
1093 successor Ralph at Hastings and Battle 444
February 12 Consecration of Robert Bloet to Lincoln; his
gift to the King; plot against Anselm;
compromise with York 445-446
1104-1123 Character and episcopate of Robert Bloet 447-448
Return of Bishop Herbert of Thetford; he is
deprived by the King 448
1094 His restoration; he removes his see to Norwich 448
February 17 The ceremonies of Ash-Wednesday; Anselm rebukes
the minions 449-450
Anselm’s interview with the King; his silence
about the war 450-451
Anselm asks for help in his reforms; he asks
leave to hold a synod; his appeal against
the fashionable vices 451-453
Grievances of the Church; wrongs of the church
tenants 454
He prays the King to fill the vacant abbeys;
their relation to the King; hostile answer
of Rufus 454-456
Comparison of Lanfranc and Anselm; estimate of
Anselm’s conduct 456-457
Anselm tries to recover the King’s favour; the
bishops advise him to give more money; his
grounds for refusing 457-460
The King more hostile than ever; Anselm
leaves Hastings 460
March 19, William crosses to Normandy 461
1094
Vain attempts to settle the dispute between
William and Robert; verdict of the
guarantors against William 461
Castles held by William; taking of Bures 462-463
Robert calls in Philip; siege and surrender of
Argentan; ransom of the prisoners 463-464
Robert takes La Houlme 465
Difficulties of Rufus; further taxation; levy
of English soldiers; Flambard takes away
the soldiers’ money 465-466
Rufus buys off Philip 466-467
Contemporary notices of the campaign;
differences between England and Normandy;
private wars go on in Normandy 467-468
Relations between Rufus and Henry; war at
Saint Cenery; the castle taken by Robert of
Bellême 468-469
Henry and Earl Hugh summoned to Eu 469
October 31 They go to Southampton and keep Christmas in
London 470
December 28 The King comes to England; William and Henry
reconciled 470
February, Henry goes to Normandy; his warfare with
1095 Robert 470-471
Norman supporters of William 471-474
Wretchedness of England; causes for the
King’s return; affairs of Scotland and Wales;
plots at home 474-475
§ 4. _The Council of Rockingham.
December, 1094-March, 1095._
Notes of the year 1095; councils of the year 476
Jan., Feb.,
1095 Movements of William; alleged Welsh campaign 476-477
April, 1094- Last days and sickness of Wulfstan; his
Jan., 1095 friendshipwith Bishop Robert of Hereford 477-479
January 18, Death of Wulfstan; his appearance to Bishop
1095 Robert 480
January 22 His burial 480
Anselm and Urban; need of the pallium; elder
usage as to it 481-484
Anselm asks leave to go to Urban for the
pallium; William refuses to acknowledge any
pope 484-485
Anselm asks for an assembly to discuss the
question; he will leave the realm if he may
not acknowledge Urban 485-486
Frequency of assemblies under Rufus; a special
meeting summoned 487
Sunday, Assembly at Rockingham 487
March 11
Estimate of the question; the King technically
right; no real objection to Urban on his
part 487-489
History and description of Rockingham 490-491
Place of meeting; the King’s inner council 491
Anselm’s opening speech 492
The real point avoided on the King’s side;
Anselm treated as an accused person 493
Conduct of the bishops; the meeting adjourned
till Monday 493-494
Monday, The bishops counsel submission; Anselm’s
March 12 second speech; he asserts no exclusive
claims; his two duties 494-496
Position of England towards the popes; Anselm
and William of Saint-Calais 496-497
Anselm not the first to appeal to Rome 497
Answer of the bishops; the King’s messages; the
bishops advise him to submit to the King in
all things 497-499
Anselm sleeps during the debate 498
The bishops’ definition of freedom; Anselm
will not forsake Urban 499-500
Schemes of William of Saint-Calais against
Anselm; he aspires to the archbishopric 500-501
Objects of the King; promises of William of
Saint-Calais; his speech to Anselm 502-503
William’s imperial claims; his relations at
the time to the vassal kingdoms 503-505
The real question hitherto evaded; Anselm’s
challenge; he states the real case 505-506
New position of the bishops 506
Anselm insulted; popular feeling on his side;
story of Anselm and the knight 506-508
Perplexity of the King; failure of William of
Saint-Calais; the assembly adjourned 508-509
Tuesday, Debates in the inner council; William of
March 13 Saint-Calais recommends force; the lay nobles
refuse; speeches of the King and Robert of
Meulan 510-511
The King bids the bishops renounce Anselm; he
withdraws his protection; Anselm’s answer 511-513
The King turns to the lay lords; they support
Anselm 513-514
Shame of the bishops; the King further
examines them; his rewards and punishments 514-516
Anselm wishes to leave England; another
adjournment 516-517
Wednesday Anselm summoned to the King’s presence;
March 14 the lay lords propose a truce; adjournment
to May 20 517-519
Importance of the meeting at Rockingham 519
William keeps faith to Anselm personally,
but oppresses his friends 519-521
§ 5. _The Mission of Cardinal Walter. 1095._
March-May Events of the time of truce; assemblies of
1095 the year 521
Position of Urban 521
March 1-7, Council of Piacenza; its decrees; no mention
1095 of English affairs 522-523
William’s schemes to turn the Pope against
Anselm; mission of Gerard and William of
Warelwast 523-524
April 10 Urban at Cremona; dealings of William’s
messengers with Urban 525
The Sicilian monarchy; relations between
England and Sicily 525-526
Gerard and William bring Walter of Albano as
Legate; he brings a pallium 526-527
Secrecy of his errand; his interview with the
King; William acknowledges Urban 527-528
Walter refuses to depose Anselm 528-529
William and his counsellors outwitted by the
Legate; he is driven to a reconciliation
with Anselm 529
May 13 Whitsun Assembly; the King’s message to Anselm 530
Anselm will not pay for the pallium; Anselm and
William reconciled; their friendly discourse 531-532
Anselm refuses to take the pallium from the
King 532
Popular aspect of the assembly 533
Anselm absolves two bishops, Osmund of Salisbury
and Robert of Hereford; he restores Wulfrith
of Saint David’s 533-534
June 10 Anselm receives the pallium at Canterbury 534-535
June 26 Death of Bishop Robert of Hereford; the Legate
stays in England; his dealings with Anselm 535-537
The King’s northern march; Anselm entrusted
with the defence of Canterbury 537-538
Letters between Anselm and the Legate; the
bishops object to Anselm’s position; his
answer 538-540
Question about the monks at Christ Church;
Anselm and his tenants 540-541
Christmas, Assembly at Windsor and Salisbury 541-542
1095-1096
January 6 Anselm attends William of Saint-Calais on his
death-bed 541-542
June 6 Consecration of bishops; Samson of Worcester
and Gerard of Hereford 542-544
Anselm consecrates Irish bishops 544
§ 6. _The Crusade and the Mortgage of Normandy.
November 1095-March 1097._
March 7, Council of Piacenza; appeal of the Emperor
1095 Alexios 545
Nov. 18 Council of Clermont; the first crusade 545-547
Bearing of the crusade on our story; no king
engaged in the first crusade; share of
Normandy and Flanders 546-547
The crusades a Latin movement; name of
_Franks_ 546
Decrees of the Council; lay investitures
forbidden; sentence against Clement and the
Emperor; against Philip and Bertrada 548-549
Urban preaches the crusade; his geography 549-550
French, Norman, and other crusaders 550-552
Marriage of Robert of Meulan 551
Duke Robert takes the cross; he applies to
William for money; position of William
towards the crusade 552-553
Mission of Abbot Jeronto; he rebukes William 553-554
Easter, The Pope sends his nephew; peace between
April 13 William and Robert 554-555
Normandy pledged to William 555
June 2 Whitsun Assembly; taxation to raise the
pledge-money; protest of the prelates 556-557
Oppression of the tenants; plunder of the
churches 557-558
Contribution of Anselm; he mortgages Peckham
to his monks 558-559
September, Conferences between William and Robert;
1096 Robert goes on the crusade; his companions 559-560
Conduct of Robert; his treatment at Rome; his
reception by Robert of Apulia 560-561
1096-1097 The crusaders winter in Apulia; siege of
Amalfi; Bohemond takes the cross 562
Feb. 1097 Odo of Bayeux dies at Palermo 563
Duke Robert crosses to Dyrrhachion; he does
homage to Alexios 563-564
Robert at Laodikeia; Hugh of Jaugy joins the
crusaders; the rope-dancers of Antioch 564-565
Robert refuses the crown of Jerusalem and
goes back 566
William takes possession of Normandy;
character of his rule there 566-567
The Côtentin restored to Henry 567
1096 Synod of Rouen; the Truce of God confirmed;
other decrees; small results of the synod 568-569
William’s appointments to Norman prelacies 570
1090-1101 Tancard Abbot of Jumièges 570
1096-1107 Etard Abbot of Saint Peter on Dives 570
1098-1105 Turold Bishop of Bayeux 571
§ 7. _The Last Dispute between William and Anselm. 1097._
Events of the year 1096-1097 571
State of Wales at the end of 1096 571
April, 1097 Assembly at Windsor; Welsh war and seeming
conquest 572
William complains of Anselm’s contingent;
position of the Archbishop’s knights;
Anselm summoned to the King’s court 572-574
Change in Anselm’s feelings; his yearnings
towards Rome; aspect of his conduct 574-578
Causes of his loss of general support 578
His continued demands of reform; he determines
not to answer the summons but to make a
last effort 579-580
May 24, Whitsun assembly; Anselm favourably received;
1097 his last appeal 581
He determines to ask leave to go to Rome; the
King refuses 581-583
June-Aug., The charge against Anselm withdrawn; affairs
1097 of Wales; another assembly; Anselm’s request
again refused 583
Wednesday, Assembly at Winchester; Anselm renews his
October 14 request; he is again impleaded 584-585
Thursday, Anselm and the bishops and lords; speech of
October 15 Walkelin; the bishops’ portrait of
themselves; Anselm’s answer 586-588
Part of the lay lords; Anselm’s promise to
obey the customs; he is charged with breach
of promise; alternatives given him 588-589
Anselm and the King; Anselm’s discourse;
answer of Count Robert; the barons against
Anselm 589-592
Anselm allowed to go, but the archbishopric
to be seized 592-593
Anselm’s last interview with Rufus; he blesses
him 593-594
Anselm at Canterbury; he takes the pilgrim’s
staff 594
His treatment at Dover; he crosses to Whitsand 595
The King seizes the archbishopric; Anselm’s
acts declared null; the monks keep Peckham 595-596
Rebuilding of the choir of Christ Church;
works of Prior Ernulf 596-597
Comparison of the trials of William of
Saint-Calais, Anselm, and Thomas 597-605
Anselm does not strictly appeal to the Pope 598
He asserts no clerical privilege 599
Question of observing the customs 600
Comparison of the proceedings in each case 600-601
Architectural arrangements 601-602
Constitution of the assemblies; they become
less popular; lessened freedom of speech 602-603
The inner and outer council; foreshadowing of
Lords and Commons 603-604
The Witan and the Theningmannagemót 604
Behaviour of Rufus, of Henry the First, of
Henry the Second 605
Effect on Anselm of his foreign sojourn 606
His journey; dealings of Odo of Burgundy; he
reaches Rome 607
Councils of Lateran and Bari; story of the
cope of Beneventum 607-610
Position of Rufus; he is never excommunicated;
probable effect of excommunication 611-612
Anselm at Lyons; his letters to the Pope 612
His letters to the King from Rome; William’s
treatment of the letters 613
Mission of William of Warelwast 614-620
Nov., 1097- William on the Continent 614
April, 1099
Anselm at Schiavia; he writes “Cur Deus Homo” 615
Anselm and Urban before Capua; Anselm and the
Saracens 615-617
Anselm wishes to resign the archbishopric;
Urban forbids him 617-618
October 1, Council of Bari 618
1098
Anselm at Rome; dealings between the Pope and
William of Warelwast; the excommunication
threatened and respited 618-620
Urban’s treatment of Anselm 620-621
April 12, Council of Lateran; protest of Reingard of
1099 Lucca; Anselm goes to Lyons 621-622
July 29 Death of Urban; William’s words on his death 622-623
Aug. 13, 1099-Paschal the Second Pope; William’s words on
Jan. 21, 1108 his election 623
CHRONOLOGY OF THE YEARS 1087-1102.
1087 September 8 William Rufus leaves his father’s death-bed and
hastens to England.
He imprisons Morkere and Wulfnoth.
He is accepted by Lanfranc.
In Normandy Robert of Bellême and others drive out
the Duke’s garrisons.
September 26 William is crowned at Westminster.
He makes gifts for his father’s soul.
December 25- The Christmas assembly. Odo restored to his
1088 January 6 earldom.
Death of Abbot Scotland.
Abbot Guy appointed at Saint Augustine’s.
March Conspiracy against the King. Rebellious movements
in Kent and Sussex.
Bishop William secures London, Dover, and Hastings
for the King.
March-May The Bishop forsakes the King; his temporalities
seized. He is summoned to the King’s court, and
his lands laid waste.
April 16 The Easter assembly; the rebel nobles fail to appear.
April-June Ravaging of Gloucestershire and Somerset.
Deliverance of Worcester.
Attempted invasion of Robert. Sieges of
Tunbridge, Pevensey, and Rochester.
June Return of Rhys; Gruffydd and the wikings harry
Rhuddlan.
Bishop William at the King’s court.
Henry, now Count of the Côtentin, comes to
England for his mother’s lands.
July 3 Death of Robert of Rhuddlan.
July John of Tours consecrated to the bishopric of
Somerset void by the death of Gisa.
August-September Henry and Robert of Bellême go back to Normandy
and are imprisoned.
Duke Robert received at Le Mans; sieges of Ballon
and Saint Cenery.
Henry is released and restored to his county in
the course of the autumn.
September 6 Agreement between Bishop William and the Counts.
September 25 Death of Bishop Geoffrey of Chichester.
November 2 Bishop William before the assembly at Salisbury.
November 14 Durham castle surrendered to the King.
after 26 Bishop William crosses to Normandy.
November ? Grant of the abbey of Bath to Bishop John; the
bishopric of Somerset removed thither.
The priory of Blyth founded in the course of the
year by Roger of Bully.
1089 May 24 Death of Lanfranc.
1090 April 21 Easter assembly at Winchester; war declared
against Normandy.
A large part of eastern Normandy won by William
without crossing the sea.
Maine revolts from Robert; reign of Azo of Este;
Howel imprisoned by Helias and visits England.
June 28 Howel returns to Le Mans.
Intrigues of Conan at Rouen.
November 3 Rouen secured to Duke Robert; death of Conan.
War of Evreux and Conches; peace between them.
Anselm visits England for the first time as abbot
in the course of the year.
December 25- Christmas assembly at Winchester.
1091 January 6
January Siege of Courcy.
February Helias buys the county of Maine from Hugh.
The King crosses to Normandy.
Treaty of Caen.
February William and Robert besiege Henry at Saint Michael’s
Mount.
May Malcolm invades Northumberland and is driven back.
August William, Robert, and Henry go back to England.
March towards Scotland.
September 3 Bishop William restored to his bishopric.
September 29 Loss of ships.
Treaty with Malcolm.
October 15 Fall of the tower at Winchcombe.
October 17 Great wind in London.
Death of Cedivor; victory of Rhys son of Tewdwr
over Gruffydd son of Meredydd in the course of
the year.
In the course of the year come the death of
William Bishop of Thetford, the consecration of
his successor Herbert Losinga, who also buys
the abbey of New Minster for his father, and
the consecration of Ralph Luffa Bishop of
Chichester.
1092 Fire in London.
March 28 Consecration of the church of Salisbury.
April 10 The tower blown down.
May 6 Death of Bishop Remigius; the church of Lincoln
remains unconsecrated.
William’s conquest and colonization of Carlisle.
Marriage of Philip and Bertrada.
September 8 Anselm comes to England; his reception at
Canterbury; his first interview with the King.
Anselm helps Earl Hugh in his changes at Chester.
December 25- Christmas assembly; discussion of the vacancy of
1093 January 6 the archbishopric.
February William refuses leave to Anselm to go back to
Normandy.
February 3 Death of Bishop Geoffrey of Coutances; Ralph
succeeds.
Lent, Sickness of the King; his repentance and
March 2 proclamation; he grants the see of Lincoln to
Robert Bloet.
March 6 The King names Anselm to the archbishopric; his
first installation.
April 17 Easter assembly at Winchester; the King recalls
his reforms.
Scottish embassy at Winchester; Malcolm summoned
to appear in the King’s court.
April 17-24 Defeat and death of Rhys at Brecknock.
April 30 Cadwgan harries Dyfed.
July 1 The Normans enter Ceredigion and Dyfed.
Advance of the Earls in North Wales; seeming
conquest of all Wales.
August 11 Malcolm lays a foundation-stone at Durham.
August 24 Malcolm at Gloucester; William refuses to see him.
Questions between the King and Anselm; his
investiture.
Intrigues of William of Eu; dealings of William
with the Counts of Flanders.
September 25 Enthronement of Anselm.
October 4-13 Death of Robert the Frisian.
October 17 Translation of Saint Julian at Le Mans.
November 13 Death of Malcolm at Alnwick.
November 17 Death of Margaret.
Donald King of Scots; driving out of Margaret’s
children.
December 4 Consecration of Anselm.
Death of Abbot Paul of Saint Alban’s.
Henry received at Domfront and wins back the
Côtentin.
December 25- Christmas assembly at Gloucester.
1094 January 6 Challenge received from Robert; Duncan claims the
Scottish crown and receives it from William.
Contributions for the Norman war; Anselm’s gift
refused.
February 2 Assembly at Hastings.
February 11 Consecration of the church of Battle.
February 12 Robert Bloet consecrated Bishop of Lincoln.
Bishop Herbert of Thetford deprived of his
bishopric.
February 22 Anselm’s Lenten sermon; he rebukes the King.
March 19 William crosses to Normandy.
Campaign of Argentan, Bures, &c.; the French king
bought off.
May The foreigners driven out of Scotland.
October 31 Henry and Earl Hugh summoned to Eu; they sail to
Southampton.
November Duncan killed; Donald’s second reign in Scotland.
December 28 The King goes back to England.
Deaths of Roger of Beaumont, Roger of Montgomery,
and Hugh of Grantmesnil, in the course of the
year.
In the course of the year the Welsh revolt under
Cadwgan and recover the greater part of the
country; Pembroke castle holds out.
1095 January 18 Death of Wulfstan.
February 9 Henry goes to Normandy.
February Interview of William and Anselm at Gillingham.
March 1-7 Council of Piacenza.
March 11-14 Assembly at Rockingham.
Gerard and William of Warelwast sent to Pope
Urban.
March 25 Assembly at Winchester; Earl Robert of Mowbray
summoned, but does not appear.
April 10 Urban at Cremona; Cardinal Walter sent to England.
May 13 Assembly at Windsor; Anselm and William reconciled;
Earl Robert fails to appear.
June 10 Anselm receives the pallium at Canterbury.
June 26 Death of Bishop Robert of Hereford.
April 30 Translation of Saint Eadmund.
The King’s northern march; Anselm’s command in
Kent.
July-Sept. Taking of Newcastle and Tynemouth; siege of
Bamburgh.
Michaelmas Montgomery taken by the Welsh; the King marches
against them.
November 1 The King reaches Snowdon; ill-success of the
campaign.
November 18 Council of Clermont.
Pope Urban at Le Mans.
Robert of Mowbray taken at Tynemouth; surrender
of Bamburgh.
December 25- Christmas assembly at Windsor.
1096 January 6
January 1 Death of Bishop William.
January 13 The assembly adjourned to Salisbury; sentences of
William of Eu, William of Alderi, and others.
Imprisonment of Robert of Mowbray.
Synod of Rouen; confirmation of the Truce of God.
Mission of Abbot Geronto.
Easter, April 13 He is suspended by the Pope’s nephew.
Normandy pledged to William.
June 8 Consecration of Bishop Gerard of Hereford and
Samson of Worcester.
August William takes possession of Normandy.
Helias takes the cross; mutual defiance between
him and William.
September Duke Robert, Bishop Odo, and others go to the
crusade.
The King spends the winter in Normandy.
In the course of the year the Welsh take
Rhyd-y-gors; Gwent and Brecknock revolt; Pembroke
is besieged, but holds out; Gisors is fortified
by Pagan Theobald.
1097 February Odo dies at Palermo.
April 4 William comes back to England.
Assembly at Windsor.
The King’s campaign in Wales; seeming conquest of
the country.
The King complains of Anselm’s knights.
May 14 Whitsun assembly; the charge against Anselm
dropped; he asks leave to go to Rome, but is
refused.
Revolt of Cadwgan in Wales.
June―August The King’s last campaign in Wales; its ill-success.
July 24 Death of Howel; Hildebert Bishop of Le Mans.
August Assembly; an expedition against Donald decreed;
Anselm’s request again refused.
September The two Eadgars march to Scotland; exploits of
Robert son of Godwine; Donald defeated and
blinded; the younger Eadgar King of Scots.
October 14 Assembly at Winchester; Anselm allowed to go, but
his temporalities to be seized; his parting
with the King.
Anselm leaves England.
William demands the French Vexin.
November He crosses to Normandy for the war with France
and Maine. Flambard and Walkelin joint regents.
Nov. 1097― French war; Lewis and William; fortification
Sept. 1098. of Gisors by Robert of Bellême.
December 19 Death of Abbot Baldwin of Saint Eadmund’s.
December 25 The King demands money of Walkelin.
1098 January 3 Death of Walkelin.
January Beginning of the war of Maine; castles occupied
by Robert of Bellême.
Victories of Helias.
April 28 Helias taken prisoner.
May 5 Fulk Rechin at Le Mans.
June The King invades Maine; he retreats from Le Mans.
July 20 William at Ballon.
August Convention between Helias and Fulk.
William enters Le Mans.
Helias set free; he strengthens himself in his
southern castles.
September 27 William’s march against France.
Attacks on Pontoise, Chaumont, and other castles.
Coming of William of Aquitaine; attacks on the
Montfort castles; failure of the two Williams.
October 1 Council of Bari; Anselm pleads for William.
In the course of the year the Welsh withdraw to
Anglesey.
The Earls Hugh in Anglesey.
Expedition of Magnus of Norway; death of Earl
Hugh of Shrewsbury at Aberlleiniog.
Establishment of Robert of Bellême in England;
he buys his brother’s earldom.
His works at Bridgenorth.
He receives the estates of Roger of Bully.
Christmas The King spends the winter in Normandy; truce with
France.
1099 Mission of William of Warelwast to Rome; he wins
over Urban.
April 10 The King in England; Easter assembly.
April 12 Council of Lateran; William’s excommunication
delayed.
Anselm leaves Rome for Lyons.
April Movements of Helias in southern Maine.
May 19 Whitsun assembly in the new hall at Westminster;
the bishopric of Durham granted to Randolf
Flambard.
June 3 Consecration of Flambard.
June-July Helios recovers Le Mans; the King’s garrisons
hold out in the castles; burning of the city.
The news brought to William; his ride and voyage.
Helias leaves Le Mans and strengthens himself at
Château-du-Loir.
William passes through Le Mans to southern Maine.
His failure before Mayet.
He enters Le Mans.
July 5 Taking of Jerusalem; exploits of Duke Robert.
July 12 Duke Robert refuses the crown of Jerusalem;
Geoffrey chosen King.
July 19 Death of Pope Urban the Second.
August 12 Battle of Ascalon.
August 13 Paschal the Second elected Pope.
September The King returns to England.
November 3 The great tide in the Thames.
December 3 Death of Bishop Osmund of Salisbury.
Dec. 25- Christmas assembly at Gloucester.
Jan. 6, 1100
In the course of the year Gruffydd and Cadwgan
return, and Anglesey and Ceredigion are
recovered by the Welsh. Eadgar goes on the
crusade. Affairs of Robert son of Godwine in
Scotland.
1100 April 1 Easter assembly at Winchester.
May 20 Whitsun assembly at Westminster.
Great schemes of William Rufus.
May Death of Richard son of Duke Robert in the New
Forest.
June-July Preparations for war.
July 13 Consecration of Gloucester abbey.
August 1 Abbot Fulchered’s sermon at Gloucester.
August 2 Death of William Rufus.
August 3 Burial of William Rufus; Henry elected King; he
grants the bishopric of Winchester to William
Giffard.
August 5 Coronation of Henry; his charter; he fills the
vacant abbeys.
He imprisons Flambard, and asks Anselm to come
back.
Helias recovers Le Mans; the castle holds out.
September Duke Robert comes back to Normandy.
War between Henry and Robert.
September 23 Anselm comes back to England.
Meeting of Anselm and Henry; question of homage
and investiture; truce till Easter; mission to
the Pope.
November Helias recovers the castle.
November 11 Marriage of Henry and Matilda.
November 18 Death of Archbishop Thomas of York.
Empty legation of Guy of Vienne.
Plots in England on behalf of Robert.
December 25- Christmas assembly at Westminster.
1101 January 6
Escape of Flambard to Normandy; he stirs up
Robert to action.
April 21 Easter assembly at Winchester; the question with
Anselm again adjourned.
Growth of the conspiracy.
June 9 Whitsun assembly; mediation of Anselm; renewed
promise of good laws.
July Robert’s fleet at Tréport; the English fleet sent
against him; some of the crews join him.
Henry’s preparations at Pevensey.
July 20 Robert lands at Portchester; he declines to attack
Winchester.
The armies meet at Alton; conference of Henry and
Robert; the treaty of 1101.
Michaelmas Robert goes back to Normandy.
Henry’s rewards and punishments; banishment of
Ivo of Grantmesnil and others.
Robert of Meulan Earl of Leicester.
December 25- Christmas assembly at Westminster.
1102 January 6
April 6 Easter assembly at Winchester; Robert of Bellême
summoned, but does not appear.
War against Robert of Bellême in England and
Normandy.
Failure of Duke Robert’s troops at Vignats.
Surrender of Arundel to Henry.
Surrender of Tickhill.
Autumn Henry’s Shropshire campaign. Siege of Bridgenorth.
The King wins over Jorwerth and the Welsh.
Dealings of Robert of Bellême with Murtagh and
Magnus.
Surrender of Bridgenorth.
The King’s march to Shrewsbury.
Surrender of Shrewsbury and banishment of Robert
of Bellême and his brothers.
1103 Death of Magnus.
Jorwerth tried at Shrewsbury and imprisoned.
1104 Banishment of William of Mortain.
1106 Battle of Tinchebrai.
1107 Compromise with Anselm.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.
VOL. I.
p. 33, l. 17, dele “the father of one of the men who had crossed the
sea to trouble England.” Robert of Bellême had not come yet; see p.
56.
p. 37, note 3. The comparison of Bristol and Brindisi is a good deal
exaggerated; but a certain measure of likeness may be seen.
p. 94, l. 18, dele “of the same kind.” See the distinction drawn in p.
604.
p. 96, note 2, for “abjuvare” read “abjurare.”
p. 133, note. See vol. ii. p. 330.
p. 180, note. I do not know how “Esparlon”――Épernon――comes to be
reckoned among the possessions of Robert of Bellême. We shall find it
in vol. ii. p. 251 in the hands of the French house of Montfort.
p. 183, l. 4 from bottom, for “Rotrou” read “Geoffrey.”
p. 184, note 1. See vol. ii. p. 396.
p. 214, side-note, for “William of Geroy” read “William son of Geroy.”
p. 217, l. 13, for “uncle” read “brother.”
p. 238, note 3, for “Aunde” read “Aumale.”
p. 243, note 2. I really ought to have mentioned the wonderful forms
of torture which the man of Belial inflicted on his lord and his other
prisoners (Ord. Vit. 705 A, B); “Per tres menses in castro Brehervallo
eos in carcere strinxit, et multotiens, dum nimia hiems sæviret, in
solis camisiis aqua largiter humectatis in fenestra sublimis aulæ
Boreæ vel Circio exposuit, donec tota vestis circa corpus vinctorum in
uno gelu diriguit.”
p. 247, l. 3. I suppose that Walter of Rouen, son of Ansgar, who
appears high in the King’s confidence in vol. ii. pp. 241, 370, is a
brother of this William. This is worth noting, as showing how Rufus
picked out men likely to serve his purpose from all quarters.
p. 251, l. 5. See below, p. 461, note 3. It would be worth enquiring
whether this name _Champ de Mars_ is old or new. There is a _Campus
Martius_ at Autun, whose name is certainly at least mediæval; but, as
it is within the Roman walls, it can hardly date from the first days
of Augustodunum. It divides the upper and lower city, quite another
position from that at Rouen.
p. 298, l. 6. Orderic is hardly fair to Edgar when he says (778 B),
“Hic corpore speciosus, lingua disertus, liberalis et generosus,
utpote Edwardi regis Hunorum filius [see 701 D and N. C. vol. ii. p.
672], sed dextera segnis erat, ducemque sibi coævum et quasi
collectaneum fratrem diligebat.”
p. 302, note 1, for “Witan” read “Gemót.”
p. 307, l. 6. Something of the kind was actually done somewhat later;
see below, p. 435. But that was a challenge through ambassadors.
p. 326, note. In strictness Anselm did not appeal to the Pope at all.
See below, p. 598.
p. 335, l. 15, for “unrighteousness” read “unrighteousnesses.”
p. 353, l. 6 from bottom. I ought not to have forgotten the character
of Ralph Luffa given by William of Malmesbury (Gest. Pont. 205);
“Radulfus proceritate corporis insignis, sed et animi efficacia
famosus, qui contuitu sacerdotalis officii Willelmo juniori in faciem
pro Anselmo archiepiscopo, quem immerito exagitabat, restiterit.
Cumque ille, conscientia potestatis elatus, minas ingeminaret, nihil
alter reveritus baculum protendit, annulum exuit, ut, si vellet,
acciperet. Nec vero vel tunc vel postea austeritatem inflecteret si
assertorem haberet. Sed quia discessu suo spem ejus et ceterorum, si
qui boni essent, Anselmus enervavit, et tunc causa decidit et
postmodum damno succubuit.” This seems at first sight to stand in
contradiction to Eadmer’s picture of all the bishops, except possibly
Gundulf (see below, pp. 497, 513, 516), forsaking and renouncing
Anselm. We can understand that Eadmer would be inclined to make the
worst of the bishops as a body, while William of Malmesbury would be
inclined to make the best of the particular bishop of whom he was
writing. This is one of the passages in which William of Malmesbury in
his second edition watered down the vigorous language of the first. As
he first wrote it, the King appeared as “leo ferocissimus Willelmus
dico minor.” On second thoughts the comparison with the wild beast was
left out.
p. 355, l. 15. I have sent Herbert to Rome at this time, in order to
bring him back for the meeting at Hastings in 1094. See below, pp.
429, 448. I find that some difficulty has arisen on account of the
words of Eadmer (see p. 429), which have been taken as implying that
Herbert joined in the consecration of Anselm. Dr. Stubbs puts him on
the list in the Registrum. But surely the words might be used if all
the bishops came who were in England and able to come.
p. 355, side-note, for “1091-1093” read “1091-1098.” See vol. ii. p.
267.
p. 375, note 6, for “perversitatam” read “perversitatem.”
p. 385, l. 2, for “undoubtedly” read “by himself.”
p. 408, l. 15. There must however have been some exceptions. See the
Additions and Corrections to vol. ii. p. 508.
p. 450, l. 3 from bottom. Yet the guarantors, even on William’s own
side, held him to be in the wrong. See p. 461.
p. 469, note 1. The reference is to the passage of Orderic, quoted in
vol. ii. p. 537. But it is hard to understand how Henry can have been
at war with William in 1094. Yet there is the passage from Sigebert
quoted in p. 471, note 3, where the date must be wrong, but which
seems to hang together both with this passage of Orderic and with the
suspicions on the Kings part implied in the narrative in the
Chronicle.
p. 469, l. 10, and note 3, for “son” read “grandson.”
p. 485, l. 3, for “of” read “to.”
p. 492, l. 2, put semicolon after “within.”
p. 506, note 2. This passage is very singular, especially the words
“nec ipsum advertere posse putaverunt.” On this last point the bishops
seem to have been right, as Anselm himself nowhere puts forward any
such claim to exemption.
p. 516, note 3. Besides the difficulty about Gundulf, there is the
further difficulty about Ralph of Chichester, who, as we have just
seen, is said by William of Malmesbury to have taken Anselm’s side. He
at least stood in no such special position to the Archbishop as the
Bishop of Rochester did.
p. 522, side-note, for “May” read “March.”
p. 546, l. 12. Worthiest certainly when any actual work was to be
done; but the idle sojourn at Laodikeia (see p. 565) makes the general
epithet too strong.
p. 551, l. 10, for “Rotrou” read “Geoffrey.”
p. 571, l. 3. I believe there is no authority for this English form,
“Evermouth,” though it is not unlikely that “Ebremou” may, like so
many other names in Normandy, really be a corruption of some such
Teutonic name. The place is in Eastern Normandy, in the present
department of Lower Seine.
p. 579, note 1. This is that singular use of the words “Christianitas”
and the like which we find in such phrases as “Courts Christian” and
“Deanery of Christianity.” We must not think of such a “subventio
Christianitatis” as the Spanish Bishop sought for at the hands of
Anselm. See vol. ii. p. 582.
p. 586, l. 25. For “three” read “four,” and add the name of Robert
Bloet. He is the Robert referred to in the next page.
p. 604, note 1. The _right_ to be tried is confined to the Peers;
other persons of course may be so tried, if they are impeached by the
Commons.
p. 609, note 1. When I was at Benevento this year (1880), I had hoped
to get a sight of the cope, as the treasury of the metropolitan church
is rich in vestments. But they are all of much later date, and I could
hear nothing of the relic which I sought for.
p. 614, last line. See more in vol. ii. p. 403.
THE REIGN OF WILLIAM RUFUS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
[Sidenote: Character of the reign of William Rufus.]
[Sidenote: The Norman Conquest in one sense completed, in another
undone.]
[Sidenote: Feudal developement under Rufus and Flambard.]
[Sidenote: Growth of anti-feudal tendencies.]
The reign of the second Norman king is a period of English history
which may well claim a more special and minute examination than could
be given to it when it took its place merely as one of the later
stages in the history of the Norman Conquest, after the great work of
the Conquest itself was done. There is indeed a point of view in which
the first years of the reign of William the Red may be looked on as
something more than one of the later stages of the Conquest. They may
be looked on, almost at pleasure, either as the last stage of the
Conquest or as the reversal of the Conquest. We may give either name
to a struggle in which a Norman king, the son of the Norman Conqueror,
was established on the English throne by warfare which, simply as
warfare, was a distinct victory won by Englishmen over Normans on
English soil. The truest aspect of that warfare was that the Norman
Conquest of England was completed by English hands. But, in so saying,
we must understand by the Norman Conquest of England all that is
implied in that name to its fullest extent. When Englishmen, by armed
support of a Norman king, accepted the fact of the Norman Conquest,
they in some measure changed its nature. In the act of completing the
Conquest, they in some sort undid it. If we hold that the end of the
Conquest came in the days of Rufus, in the days of Rufus also came the
beginnings of the later effects of the Conquest. The reign of William
the Red, the administration of Randolf Flambard, was, above all
others, the time when the feudal side, so to speak, of the Conquest
put on a systematic shape. The King and his minister put into regular
working, if they did not write down in a regular code, those usages
which under the Conqueror were still merely tendencies irregularly at
work, but which, at the accession of Henry the First, had already
grown into abuses which needed redress. But, on the other hand, it was
equally the time when the anti-feudal tendencies of the Conquest, the
causes and the effects of the great law of Salisbury,[1] showed how
firmly they had taken root. The reign of Rufus laid down the two
principles, that, in the kingdom of England, no man should be stronger
than the king,[2] but that the king should hold his strength only by
making himself the head of the state and of the people. As a stage
then in the history of the Conquest and its results, as a stage in the
general constitutional history of England, the thirteen years of the
reign of Rufus form a period of the highest interest and importance.
[Sidenote: Extension of the power of England at home.]
[Sidenote: Wales;]
[Sidenote: Carlisle.]
[Sidenote: Beginning of rivalry between England and France.]
[Sidenote: Wealth of England.]
[Sidenote: Change in the European position of England.]
But those years are a time of no less interest and importance, if we
look at them with regard to the general position of England in the
world. Within our own island, the reign of William the Red was marked
by a great practical extension of the power of England on the Welsh
marches. On another side it was marked yet more distinctly by an
enlargement of the kingdom itself, by the settlement of the
north-western frontier, by the winning for England of a new land, and
by the restoration of a fallen city as the bulwark of the new
boundary. What the daughter of Ælfred was at Chester, the son of the
Conqueror was at Carlisle. Beyond the sea, we mark the beginnings of a
state of things which has ceased only within our own memories. The
rivalry between France and Normandy grows, now that England is ruled
by Norman kings, into a rivalry between France and England. In will,
if not in deed, the reign of Rufus forestalls the reigns of Edward the
Third and Henry the Fifth. It sets England before us in a character
which she kept through so many ages, the character of the wealthy land
which could work with gold as well as with steel, the land whence
subsidies might be looked for to flow into the less well-filled
coffers of the princes of the mainland. In the reign of Rufus we see
England holding an European position wholly different from what she
had held in earlier days. She passes in some sort from the world of
the North into the world of the West. That change was the work of the
Conqueror; but it is under his son that we see its full nature and
meaning. The new place which England now holds is seen to be one which
came to her wholly through her connexion with Normandy; it is no less
seen to be one which she has learned to hold in her own name and by
her own strength.
[Sidenote: Personal character of William Rufus.]
[Sidenote: His companions and adversaries.]
[Sidenote: Anselm and Helias.]
And, if we pass from the domain of political history into the domain
of personal character and personal incident, we shall find few periods
of the same length richer in both. The character of William Rufus
himself, repulsive as from many points it is, is yet a strange and
instructive study of human nature. The mere fact that no prince ever
made a deeper personal impression on the minds of the men of his own
age, the crowd of personal anecdotes and personal sayings which,
whether true or false, bear witness to the depth of that impression,
all invite us to a nearer study of the man of whom those who lived in
his own day found so much to tell, and so much which at first sight
seems strange and contradictory. William Rufus stands before us as the
first representative of a new ideal, a new standard. Our earlier
experiences, English and Norman, have hardly prepared us for the
special place taken by the king who has some claim to rank as the
first distinctly recorded example of the new character of knight and
gentleman. In the company of the Red King we are introduced to a new
line of thought, a new way of looking at things, of which in an
earlier generation we see hardly stronger signs in Normandy than we
see in England. For good and for evil, if William Rufus bears the mark
of his age, he also leaves his mark on his age. His own marked
personality in some sort entitles him to be surrounded, to be
withstood, by men whose personality is also clearly marked. A circle
of well-defined portraits, friends and enemies, ministers and rivals,
gathers around him. Among them two forms stand out before all. The
holy Anselm at home, the valiant Helias beyond the sea, are the men
with whom Rufus has to strive. And the saint of Aosta, the hero of La
Flèche, are men who of themselves are enough to draw our thoughts to
the times and the lands in which they lived. Each, in his own widely
different way, stands forth as the representative of right in the face
of a power of evil which we still feel to be not wholly evil. All
light is not put out, all better feelings are not trampled out of
being, when evil stands in any way abashed before the presence of
good.
[Sidenote: Rufus and England.]
[Sidenote: The last warfare of Normans and English.]
[Sidenote: Results of the struggle.]
[Sidenote: The Conquest accepted and modified.]
[Sidenote: The Norman kingship becomes English.]
[Sidenote: Effects of the French War.]
Looked at simply as a tale, the tale of Rufus and Anselm, the tale of
Rufus and Helias, is worth the telling. But better worth telling still
is the tale of Rufus and England. The struggle which kept the crown
for Rufus, the last armed struggle between Englishmen and Normans on
English ground, the fight of Pevensey and the siege of Rochester, form
a stirring portion of our annals, a portion whose interest yields only
to that of a few great days like the days of Senlac and of Lewes. But
the really great tale is after all that which is more silent and
hidden. This was above all things the time when the Norman Conquest
took root, as something which at once established the Norman power in
England, and which ruled that the Norman power should step by step
change into an English power. The great fact of Rufus’ day is that
Englishmen won the crown of England for a Norman king in fight against
rebellious Normans. On that day the fact of the Conquest was fully
acknowledged; it became something which, as to its immediate outward
effects, there was no longer any thought of undoing. The house of the
Conqueror was to be the royal house; there were to be no more revolts
on behalf of the heir of Cerdic, no more messages sent to invite the
heir of Cnut. And with the kingship of the Norman all was accepted
which was immediately implied in the kingship of the Norman. But on
that day it was further ruled that the kingship of the Norman was to
change into an English kingship. It became such in some sort even
under Rufus himself, when the King of England went forth to subdue
Normandy, to threaten France, to dream at least, as a link between
Civilis and Buonaparte, of an empire of the Gauls.[3] The success of
the attempt, the accomplishment of the dream, would have been the very
overthrow of English nationality; the mere attempt, the mere dream,
helped, if not to strengthen English nationality, at least to
strengthen the national position of England. But these years helped
too, in a more silent way, if not to change the Norman rule at home
into an English rule, at least to make things ready for the coming of
the king who was really to do the work. It was perhaps in the long run
not the least gain of the reign of William the Red that it left for
Henry the Clerk, not only much to do, but also something directly to
undo.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Scheme of the work.]
In a former volume we traced the history of the Conqueror in great
detail to his death-bed and his burial. In another volume we followed,
with a more hasty course, the main features of the reign of William
Rufus, looked at specially as bearing on the history of the Conquest
and the mutual relations of English and Normans. We will now again
take up the thread of our detailed story at the bed-side of the dying
Conqueror, and thence trace the history of his successor, from his
first nomination by his father’s dying voice to his unhallowed burial
in the Old Minster of Winchester. And thence, though the tale of Rufus
himself is over, it may be well to carry on the tale of England
through the struggle which ruled for the second time that England
should not be the realm of the Conqueror’s eldest son, and, as such,
an appendage to his Norman duchy. The accession of Henry is
essentially a part of the same tale as the accession of Rufus. The
points of likeness in the two stories are striking indeed, reaching in
some cases almost to a repetition of the same events. But the points
of unlikeness are yet more striking and instructive. And it is from
them that we learn how much the reign of Rufus had done alike towards
completing the Norman Conquest and towards undoing it.