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Heroes of the Nations
A Series of Biographical Studies presenting the lives and work of
certain representative historical characters, about whom have gathered
the traditions of the nations to which they belong, and who have, in the
majority of instances, been accepted as types of the several national
ideals.
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Half Leather, gilt top, net $1.60
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Heroes of the Nations
EDITED BY
H. W. C. Davis
FACTA DUCIS VIVENT, OPEROSAQUE
GLORIA RERUM—-OVID, IN LIVIAM, 255.
THE HERO’S DEEDS AND HARD-WON
FAME SHALL LIVE.
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR
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[Illustration: SEAL OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR]
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WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR
And the Rule of the Normans
by
FRANK MERRY STENTON, M.A.
Late Scholar of Keble College, Oxford
G. P. Putnam’S Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press
1908
Copyright, 1908
By
G. P. Putnam’S Sons
The Knickerbocker Press, New York
PREFACE
In attempting to write a life of William the Conqueror, one is
confronted, at the outset, by a question of considerable urgency. The
mere details of the King’s history, if full discussion were given to all
matters which have been the subjects of controversy, would far exceed
the possible limits of a volume to be included in the series to which
the present book belongs. On the other hand, a life of William the
Conqueror which ignored the changes in constitutional organisation and
social life which followed the events of 1066 would obviously be a very
imperfect thing. Accordingly, I have reserved the last three chapters of
the book for some examination of these questions; and I hope that the
footnotes to the text may serve as, in some sort, a guide to the more
difficult problems arising out of the Conqueror’s life and reign.
There is no need to enter here upon a description of the authorities on
which the following book is based. For the most part they have been the
subjects of thorough discussion; and, with one exception, they are
sufficiently accessible in modern editions. The writs and charters
issued over England by William I. are only to be found scattered among a
great number of independent publications; and the necessity of forming a
collection of these documents has materially delayed the appearance of
the present work.
It remains that I should here tender my thanks to all those who have
rendered assistance to me during the writing of this book. In particular
I would express my gratitude to my friend Mr. Roland Berkeley-Calcott,
and to the general editor of this series, Mr. H. W. C. Davis. To Mr.
Davis I am indebted for invaluable help and advice given to me both
during the preparation of the book and in the correction of the
proof-sheets. To those modern writers whose works have re-created the
history of the eleventh century in England and Normandy I hope that my
references may be a sufficient acknowledgment.
F. M. S.
SOUTH HILL, SOUTHWELL, NOTTS,
August 27, 1908.
CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1
CHAPTER I
THE MINORITY OF DUKE WILLIAM AND ITS RESULTS 63