首页 >出版文学> A Childs History of England>第4章
  stairs,andwasonlypreventedbytheKinghimselffromputtingthemtodeath.Thatsamenight,hehotlydepartedwithsomefollowersfromhisfather'scourt,andendeavouredtotaketheCastleofRouenbysurprise.Failinginthis,heshuthimselfupinanotherCastleinNormandy,whichtheKingbesieged,andwhereRobertonedayunhorsedandnearlykilledhimwithoutknowingwhohewas.Hissubmissionwhenhediscoveredhisfather,andtheintercessionofthequeenandothers,reconciledthem;butnotsoundly;forRobertsoonstrayedabroad,andwentfromcourttocourtwithhiscomplaints.Hewasagay,careless,thoughtlessfellow,spendingallhegotonmusiciansanddancers;buthismotherlovedhim,andoften,againsttheKing'scommand,suppliedhimwithmoneythroughamessengernamedSAMSON.AtlengththeincensedKingsworehewouldtearoutSamson'seyes;andSamson,thinkingthathisonlyhopeofsafetywasinbecomingamonk,becameone,wentonsucherrandsnomore,andkepthiseyesinhishead.
  Allthistime,fromtheturbulentdayofhisstrangecoronation,theConquerorhadbeenstruggling,yousee,atanycostofcrueltyandbloodshed,tomaintainwhathehadseized.Allhisreign,hestruggledstill,withthesameobjecteverbeforehim.Hewasastern,boldman,andhesucceededinit.
  Helovedmoney,andwasparticularinhiseating,buthehadonlyleisuretoindulgeoneotherpassion,andthatwashisloveofhunting.Hecarriedittosuchaheightthatheorderedwholevillagesandtownstobesweptawaytomakeforestsforthedeer.
  Notsatisfiedwithsixty-eightRoyalForests,helaidwasteanimmensedistrict,toformanotherinHampshire,calledtheNewForest.Themanythousandsofmiserablepeasantswhosawtheirlittlehousespulleddown,andthemselvesandchildrenturnedintotheopencountrywithoutashelter,detestedhimforhismercilessadditiontotheirmanysufferings;andwhen,inthetwenty-firstyearofhisreignwhichprovedtobethelast,hewentovertoRouen,Englandwasasfullofhatredagainsthim,asifeveryleafoneverytreeinallhisRoyalForestshadbeenacurseuponhishead.IntheNewForest,hissonRichardforhehadfoursons
  hadbeengoredtodeathbyaStag;andthepeoplesaidthatthissocruelly-madeForestwouldyetbefataltoothersoftheConqueror'srace.
  HewasengagedinadisputewiththeKingofFranceaboutsometerritory.WhilehestayedatRouen,negotiatingwiththatKing,hekepthisbedandtookmedicines:beingadvisedbyhisphysicianstodoso,onaccountofhavinggrowntoanunwieldysize.WordbeingbroughttohimthattheKingofFrancemadelightofthis,andjokedaboutit,hesworeinagreatragethatheshouldruehisjests.Heassembledhisarmy,marchedintothedisputedterritory,burnt-hisoldway!-thevines,thecrops,andfruit,andsetthetownofMantesonfire.But,inanevilhour;for,asherodeoverthehotruins,hishorse,settinghishoofsuponsomeburningembers,started,threwhimforwardagainstthepommelofthesaddle,andgavehimamortalhurt.ForsixweekshelaydyinginamonasterynearRouen,andthenmadehiswill,givingEnglandtoWilliam,NormandytoRobert,andfivethousandpoundstoHenry.Andnow,hisviolentdeedslayheavyonhismind.HeorderedmoneytobegiventomanyEnglishchurchesandmonasteries,and-whichwasmuchbetterrepentance-releasedhisprisonersofstate,someofwhomhadbeenconfinedinhisdungeonstwentyyears.
  ItwasaSeptembermorning,andthesunwasrising,whentheKingwasawakenedfromslumberbythesoundofachurchbell.'Whatbellisthat?'hefaintlyasked.TheytoldhimitwasthebellofthechapelofSaintMary.'Icommendmysoul,'saidhe,'toMary!'
  anddied.
  Thinkofhisname,TheConqueror,andthenconsiderhowhelayindeath!Themomenthewasdead,hisphysicians,priests,andnobles,notknowingwhatcontestforthethronemightnowtakeplace,orwhatmighthappeninit,hastenedaway,eachmanforhimselfandhisownproperty;themercenaryservantsofthecourtbegantorobandplunder;thebodyoftheKing,intheindecentstrife,wasrolledfromthebed,andlayalone,forhours,upontheground.OConqueror,ofwhomsomanygreatnamesareproudnow,ofwhomsomanygreatnamesthoughtnothingthen,itwerebettertohaveconqueredonetrueheart,thanEngland!
  By-and-by,thepriestscamecreepinginwithprayersandcandles;
  andagoodknight,namedHERLUIN,undertookwhichnooneelsewoulddotoconveythebodytoCaen,inNormandy,inorderthatitmightbeburiedinSt.Stephen'schurchthere,whichtheConquerorhadfounded.Butfire,ofwhichhehadmadesuchbaduseinhislife,seemedtofollowhimofitselfindeath.Agreatconflagrationbrokeoutinthetownwhenthebodywasplacedinthechurch;andthosepresentrunningouttoextinguishtheflames,itwasonceagainleftalone.
  Itwasnotevenburiedinpeace.Itwasabouttobeletdown,initsRoyalrobes,intoatombnearthehighaltar,inpresenceofagreatconcourseofpeople,whenaloudvoiceinthecrowdcriedout,'Thisgroundismine!Uponit,stoodmyfather'shouse.ThisKingdespoiledmeofbothgroundandhousetobuildthischurch.
  InthegreatnameofGOD,Ihereforbidhisbodytobecoveredwiththeearththatismyright!'Thepriestsandbishopspresent,knowingthespeaker'sright,andknowingthattheKinghadoftendeniedhimjustice,paidhimdownsixtyshillingsforthegrave.
  Eventhen,thecorpsewasnotatrest.Thetombwastoosmall,andtheytriedtoforceitin.Itbroke,adreadfulsmellarose,thepeoplehurriedoutintotheair,and,forthethirdtime,itwasleftalone.
  WhereweretheConqueror'sthreesons,thattheywerenotattheirfather'sburial?Robertwasloungingamongminstrels,dancers,andgamesters,inFranceorGermany.Henrywascarryinghisfivethousandpoundssafelyawayinaconvenientchesthehadgotmade.
  WilliamtheRedwashurryingtoEngland,tolayhandsupontheRoyaltreasureandthecrown.
  CHAPTERIX-ENGLANDUNDERWILLIAMTHESECOND,CALLEDRUFUS
  WILLIAMTHERED,inbreathlesshaste,securedthethreegreatfortsofDover,Pevensey,andHastings,andmadewithhotspeedforWinchester,wheretheRoyaltreasurewaskept.Thetreasurerdeliveringhimthekeys,hefoundthatitamountedtosixtythousandpoundsinsilver,besidesgoldandjewels.Possessedofthiswealth,hesoonpersuadedtheArchbishopofCanterburytocrownhim,andbecameWilliamtheSecond,KingofEngland.
  Rufuswasnosooneronthethrone,thanheorderedintoprisonagaintheunhappystatecaptiveswhomhisfatherhadsetfree,anddirectedagoldsmithtoornamenthisfather'stombprofuselywithgoldandsilver.ItwouldhavebeenmoredutifulinhimtohaveattendedthesickConquerorwhenhewasdying;butEnglanditself,likethisRedKing,whooncegovernedit,hassometimesmadeexpensivetombsfordeadmenwhomittreatedshabbilywhentheywerealive.
  TheKing'sbrother,RobertofNormandy,seemingquitecontenttobeonlyDukeofthatcountry;andtheKing'sotherbrother,Fine-
  Scholar,beingquietenoughwithhisfivethousandpoundsinachest;theKingflatteredhimself,wemaysuppose,withthehopeofaneasyreign.Buteasyreignsweredifficulttohaveinthosedays.TheturbulentBishopODOwhohadblessedtheNormanarmyattheBattleofHastings,andwho,Idaresay,tookallthecreditofthevictorytohimselfsoonbegan,inconcertwithsomepowerfulNormannobles,totroubletheRedKing.
  Thetruthseemstobethatthisbishopandhisfriends,whohadlandsinEnglandandlandsinNormandy,wishedtoholdbothunderoneSovereign;andgreatlypreferredathoughtlessgood-naturedperson,suchasRobertwas,toRufus;who,thoughfarfrombeinganamiablemaninanyrespect,waskeen,andnottobeimposedupon.
  TheydeclaredinRobert'sfavour,andretiredtotheircastlesthosecastleswereverytroublesometokingsinasullenhumour.
  TheRedKing,seeingtheNormansthusfallingfromhim,revengedhimselfuponthembyappealingtotheEnglish;towhomhemadeavarietyofpromises,whichhenevermeanttoperform-inparticular,promisestosoftenthecrueltyoftheForestLaws;andwho,inreturn,soaidedhimwiththeirvalour,thatODOwasbesiegedintheCastleofRochester,andforcedtoabandonit,andtodepartfromEnglandforever:whereupontheotherrebelliousNormannoblesweresoonreducedandscattered.
  Then,theRedKingwentovertoNormandy,wherethepeoplesufferedgreatlyunderthelooseruleofDukeRobert.TheKing'sobjectwastoseizeupontheDuke'sdominions.This,theDuke,ofcourse,preparedtoresist;andmiserablewarbetweenthetwobrothersseemedinevitable,whenthepowerfulnoblesonbothsides,whohadseensomuchofwar,interferedtopreventit.Atreatywasmade.
  Eachofthetwobrothersagreedtogiveupsomethingofhisclaims,andthatthelonger-liverofthetwoshouldinheritallthedominionsoftheother.Whentheyhadcometothislovingunderstanding,theyembracedandjoinedtheirforcesagainstFine-
  Scholar;whohadboughtsometerritoryofRobertwithapartofhisfivethousandpounds,andwasconsideredadangerousindividualinconsequence.
  St.Michael'sMount,inNormandythereisanotherSt.Michael'sMount,inCornwall,wonderfullylikeit,wasthen,asitisnow,astrongplacepercheduponthetopofahighrock,aroundwhich,whenthetideisin,theseaflows,leavingnoroadtothemainland.Inthisplace,Fine-Scholarshuthimselfupwithhissoldiers,andherehewascloselybesiegedbyhistwobrothers.Atonetime,whenhewasreducedtogreatdistressforwantofwater,thegenerousRobertnotonlypermittedhismentogetwater,butsentFine-Scholarwinefromhisowntable;and,onbeingremonstratedwithbytheRedKing,said'What!shallweletourownbrotherdieofthirst?Whereshallwegetanother,whenheisgone?'Atanothertime,theRedKingridingaloneontheshoreofthebay,lookingupattheCastle,wastakenbytwoofFine-
  Scholar'smen,oneofwhomwasabouttokillhim,whenhecriedout,'Hold,knave!IamtheKingofEngland!'Thestorysaysthatthesoldierraisedhimfromthegroundrespectfullyandhumbly,andthattheKingtookhimintohisservice.Thestorymayormaynotbetrue;butatanyrateitistruethatFine-Scholarcouldnotholdoutagainsthisunitedbrothers,andthatheabandonedMountSt.Michael,andwanderedabout-aspoorandforlornasotherscholarshavebeensometimesknowntobe.
  TheScotchbecameunquietintheRedKing'stime,andweretwicedefeated-thesecondtime,withthelossoftheirKing,Malcolm,andhisson.TheWelshbecameunquiettoo.Againstthem,Rufuswaslesssuccessful;fortheyfoughtamongtheirnativemountains,anddidgreatexecutionontheKing'stroops.RobertofNormandybecameunquiettoo;and,complainingthathisbrothertheKingdidnotfaithfullyperformhispartoftheiragreement,tookuparms,andobtainedassistancefromtheKingofFrance,whomRufus,intheend,boughtoffwithvastsumsofmoney.Englandbecameunquiettoo.LordMowbray,thepowerfulEarlofNorthumberland,headedagreatconspiracytodeposetheKing,andtoplaceuponthethrone,STEPHEN,theConqueror'snearrelative.Theplotwasdiscovered;
  allthechiefconspiratorswereseized;somewerefined,somewereputinprison,somewereputtodeath.TheEarlofNorthumberlandhimselfwasshutupinadungeonbeneathWindsorCastle,wherehedied,anoldman,thirtylongyearsafterwards.ThePriestsinEnglandweremoreunquietthananyotherclassorpower;fortheRedKingtreatedthemwithsuchsmallceremonythatherefusedtoappointnewbishopsorarchbishopswhentheoldonesdied,butkeptallthewealthbelongingtothoseofficesinhisownhands.Inreturnforthis,thePriestswrotehislifewhenhewasdead,andabusedhimwell.Iaminclinedtothink,myself,thattherewaslittletochoosebetweenthePriestsandtheRedKing;thatbothsidesweregreedyanddesigning;andthattheywerefairlymatched.
  TheRedKingwasfalseofheart,selfish,covetous,andmean.Hehadaworthyministerinhisfavourite,Ralph,nicknamed-foralmosteveryfamouspersonhadanicknameinthoseroughdays-
  Flambard,ortheFirebrand.Once,theKingbeingill,becamepenitent,andmadeANSELM,aforeignpriestandagoodman,ArchbishopofCanterbury.Buthenosoonergotwellagainthanherepentedofhisrepentance,andpersistedinwrongfullykeepingtohimselfsomeofthewealthbelongingtothearchbishopric.Thisledtoviolentdisputes,whichwereaggravatedbytherebeinginRomeatthattimetworivalPopes;eachofwhomdeclaredhewastheonlyrealoriginalinfalliblePope,whocouldn'tmakeamistake.
  Atlast,Anselm,knowingtheRedKing'scharacter,andnotfeelinghimselfsafeinEngland,askedleavetoreturnabroad.TheRedKinggladlygaveit;forheknewthatassoonasAnselmwasgone,hecouldbegintostoreupalltheCanterburymoneyagain,forhisownuse.
  Bysuchmeans,andbytaxingandoppressingtheEnglishpeopleineverypossibleway,theRedKingbecameveryrich.Whenhewantedmoneyforanypurpose,heraiseditbysomemeansorother,andcarednothingfortheinjusticehedid,orthemiseryhecaused.
  HavingtheopportunityofbuyingfromRobertthewholeduchyofNormandyforfiveyears,hetaxedtheEnglishpeoplemorethanever,andmadetheveryconventsselltheirplateandvaluablestosupplyhimwiththemeanstomakethepurchase.Buthewasasquickandeagerinputtingdownrevoltashewasinraisingmoney;
  for,apartoftheNormanpeopleobjecting-verynaturally,I
  think-tobeingsoldinthisway,heheadedanarmyagainstthemwithallthespeedandenergyofhisfather.Hewassoimpatient,thatheembarkedforNormandyinagreatgaleofwind.Andwhenthesailorstoldhimitwasdangeroustogotoseainsuchangryweather,hereplied,'Hoistsailandaway!Didyoueverhearofakingwhowasdrowned?'
  YouwillwonderhowitwasthateventhecarelessRobertcametosellhisdominions.Ithappenedthus.IthadlongbeenthecustomformanyEnglishpeopletomakejourneystoJerusalem,whichwerecalledpilgrimages,inorderthattheymightpraybesidethetombofOurSaviourthere.JerusalembelongingtotheTurks,andtheTurkshatingChristianity,theseChristiantravellerswereofteninsultedandillused.ThePilgrimsboreitpatientlyforsometime,butatlengtharemarkableman,ofgreatearnestnessandeloquence,calledPETERTHEHERMIT,begantopreachinvariousplacesagainsttheTurks,andtodeclarethatitwasthedutyofgoodChristianstodriveawaythoseunbelieversfromthetombofOurSaviour,andtotakepossessionofit,andprotectit.Anexcitementsuchastheworldhadneverknownbeforewascreated.
  ThousandsandthousandsofmenofallranksandconditionsdepartedforJerusalemtomakewaragainsttheTurks.ThewariscalledinhistorythefirstCrusade,andeveryCrusaderworeacrossmarkedonhisrightshoulder.
  AlltheCrusaderswerenotzealousChristians.Amongthemwerevastnumbersoftherestless,idle,profligate,andadventurousspiritofthetime.SomebecameCrusadersfortheloveofchange;
  some,inthehopeofplunder;some,becausetheyhadnothingtodoathome;some,becausetheydidwhattheprieststoldthem;some,becausetheylikedtoseeforeigncountries;some,becausetheywerefondofknockingmenabout,andwouldassoonknockaTurkaboutasaChristian.RobertofNormandymayhavebeeninfluencedbyallthesemotives;andbyakinddesire,besides,tosavetheChristianPilgrimsfrombadtreatmentinfuture.Hewantedtoraiseanumberofarmedmen,andtogototheCrusade.Hecouldnotdosowithoutmoney.Hehadnomoney;andhesoldhisdominionstohisbrother,theRedKing,forfiveyears.Withthelargesumhethusobtained,hefittedouthisCrusadersgallantly,andwentawaytoJerusaleminmartialstate.TheRedKing,whomademoneyoutofeverything,stayedathome,busilysqueezingmoremoneyoutofNormansandEnglish.
  Afterthreeyearsofgreathardshipandsuffering-fromshipwreckatsea;fromtravelinstrangelands;fromhunger,thirst,andfever,upontheburningsandsofthedesert;andfromthefuryoftheTurks-thevaliantCrusadersgotpossessionofOurSaviour'stomb.TheTurkswerestillresistingandfightingbravely,butthissuccessincreasedthegeneraldesireinEuropetojointheCrusade.AnothergreatFrenchDukewasproposingtosellhisdominionsforatermtotherichRedKing,whentheRedKing'sreigncametoasuddenandviolentend.
  YouhavenotforgottentheNewForestwhichtheConquerormade,andwhichthemiserablepeoplewhosehomeshehadlaidwaste,sohated.
  ThecrueltyoftheForestLaws,andthetortureanddeaththeybroughtuponthepeasantry,increasedthishatred.ThepoorpersecutedcountrypeoplebelievedthattheNewForestwasenchanted.Theysaidthatinthunder-storms,andondarknights,demonsappeared,movingbeneaththebranchesofthegloomytrees.
  TheysaidthataterriblespectrehadforetoldtoNormanhuntersthattheRedKingshouldbepunishedthere.Andnow,inthepleasantseasonofMay,whentheRedKinghadreignedalmostthirteenyears;andasecondPrinceoftheConqueror'sblood-
  anotherRichard,thesonofDukeRobert-waskilledbyanarrowinthisdreadedForest;thepeoplesaidthatthesecondtimewasnotthelast,andthattherewasanotherdeathtocome.
  Itwasalonelyforest,accursedinthepeople'sheartsforthewickeddeedsthathadbeendonetomakeit;andnomansavetheKingandhisCourtiersandHuntsmen,likedtostraythere.But,inreality,itwaslikeanyotherforest.Inthespring,thegreenleavesbrokeoutofthebuds;inthesummer,flourishedheartily,andmadedeepshades;inthewinter,shrivelledandblewdown,andlayinbrownheapsonthemoss.Sometreeswerestately,andgrewhighandstrong;somehadfallenofthemselves;somewerefelledbytheforester'saxe;somewerehollow,andtherabbitsburrowedattheirroots;somefewwerestruckbylightning,andstoodwhiteandbare.Therewerehill-sidescoveredwithrichfern,onwhichthemorningdewsobeautifullysparkled;therewerebrooks,wherethedeerwentdowntodrink,oroverwhichthewholeherdbounded,flyingfromthearrowsofthehuntsmen;thereweresunnyglades,andsolemnplaceswherebutlittlelightcamethroughtherustlingleaves.ThesongsofthebirdsintheNewForestwerepleasantertohearthantheshoutsoffightingmenoutside;andevenwhentheRedKingandhisCourtcamehuntingthroughitssolitudes,cursingloudandridinghard,withajinglingofstirrupsandbridlesandknivesanddaggers,theydidmuchlessharmtherethanamongtheEnglishorNormans,andthestagsdiedastheylivedfareasierthanthepeople.
  UponadayinAugust,theRedKing,nowreconciledtohisbrother,Fine-Scholar,camewithagreattraintohuntintheNewForest.
  Fine-Scholarwasoftheparty.Theywereamerryparty,andhadlainallnightatMalwood-Keep,ahunting-lodgeintheforest,wheretheyhadmadegoodcheer,bothatsupperandbreakfast,andhaddrunkadealofwine.Thepartydispersedinvariousdirections,asthecustomofhuntersthenwas.TheKingtookwithhimonlySIRWALTERTYRREL,whowasafamoussportsman,andtowhomhehadgiven,beforetheymountedhorsethatmorning,twofinearrows.
  ThelasttimetheKingwaseverseenalive,hewasridingwithSirWalterTyrrel,andtheirdogswerehuntingtogether.
  Itwasalmostnight,whenapoorcharcoal-burner,passingthroughtheforestwithhiscart,cameuponthesolitarybodyofadeadman,shotwithanarrowinthebreast,andstillbleeding.Hegotitintohiscart.ItwasthebodyoftheKing.Shakenandtumbled,withitsredbeardallwhitenedwithlimeandclottedwithblood,itwasdriveninthecartbythecharcoal-burnernextdaytoWinchesterCathedral,whereitwasreceivedandburied.
  SirWalterTyrrel,whoescapedtoNormandy,andclaimedtheprotectionoftheKingofFrance,sworeinFrancethattheRedKingwassuddenlyshotdeadbyanarrowfromanunseenhand,whiletheywerehuntingtogether;thathewasfearfulofbeingsuspectedastheKing'smurderer;andthatheinstantlysetspurstohishorse,andfledtothesea-shore.OthersdeclaredthattheKingandSirWalterTyrrelwerehuntingincompany,alittlebeforesunset,standinginbushesoppositeoneanother,whenastagcamebetweenthem.ThattheKingdrewhisbowandtookaim,butthestringbroke.ThattheKingthencried,'Shoot,Walter,intheDevil'sname!'ThatSirWaltershot.Thatthearrowglancedagainstatree,wasturnedasidefromthestag,andstrucktheKingfromhishorse,dead.
  BywhosehandtheRedKingreallyfell,andwhetherthathanddespatchedthearrowtohisbreastbyaccidentorbydesign,isonlyknowntoGOD.Somethinkhisbrothermayhavecausedhimtobekilled;buttheRedKinghadmadesomanyenemies,bothamongpriestsandpeople,thatsuspicionmayreasonablyrestuponalessunnaturalmurderer.MenknownomorethanthathewasfounddeadintheNewForest,whichthesufferingpeoplehadregardedasadoomedgroundforhisrace.
  CHAPTERX-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEFIRST,CALLEDFINE-SCHOLAR
  FINE-SCHOLAR,onhearingoftheRedKing'sdeath,hurriedtoWinchesterwithasmuchspeedasRufushimselfhadmade,toseizetheRoyaltreasure.Butthekeeperofthetreasurewhohadbeenoneofthehunting-partyintheForest,madehastetoWinchestertoo,and,arrivingthereataboutthesametime,refusedtoyielditup.Uponthis,Fine-Scholardrewhissword,andthreatenedtokillthetreasurer;whomighthavepaidforhisfidelitywithhislife,butthatheknewlongerresistancetobeuselesswhenhefoundthePrincesupportedbyacompanyofpowerfulbarons,whodeclaredtheyweredeterminedtomakehimKing.Thetreasurer,therefore,gaveupthemoneyandjewelsoftheCrown:andonthethirddayafterthedeathoftheRedKing,beingaSunday,Fine-
  ScholarstoodbeforethehighaltarinWestminsterAbbey,andmadeasolemndeclarationthathewouldresigntheChurchpropertywhichhisbrotherhadseized;thathewoulddonowrongtothenobles;
  andthathewouldrestoretothepeoplethelawsofEdwardtheConfessor,withalltheimprovementsofWilliamtheConqueror.SobeganthereignofKINGHENRYTHEFIRST.
  ThepeoplewereattachedtotheirnewKing,bothbecausehehadknowndistresses,andbecausehewasanEnglishmanbybirthandnotaNorman.Tostrengthenthislastholduponthem,theKingwishedtomarryanEnglishlady;andcouldthinkofnootherwifethanMAUDTHEGOOD,thedaughteroftheKingofScotland.AlthoughthisgoodPrincessdidnotlovetheKing,shewassoaffectedbytherepresentationsthenoblesmadetoherofthegreatcharityitwouldbeinhertounitetheNormanandSaxonraces,andpreventhatredandbloodshedbetweenthemforthefuture,thatsheconsentedtobecomehiswife.Aftersomedisputingamongthepriests,whosaidthatasshehadbeeninaconventinheryouth,andhadworntheveilofanun,shecouldnotlawfullybemarried-
  againstwhichthePrincessstatedthatheraunt,withwhomshehadlivedinheryouth,hadindeedsometimesthrownapieceofblackstuffoverher,butfornootherreasonthanbecausethenun'sveilwastheonlydresstheconqueringNormansrespectedingirlorwoman,andnotbecauseshehadtakenthevowsofanun,whichsheneverhad-shewasdeclaredfreetomarry,andwasmadeKingHenry'sQueen.AgoodQueenshewas;beautiful,kind-hearted,andworthyofabetterhusbandthantheKing.
  Forhewasacunningandunscrupulousman,thoughfirmandclever.
  Hecaredverylittleforhisword,andtookanymeanstogainhisends.AllthisisshowninhistreatmentofhisbrotherRobert-
  Robert,whohadsufferedhimtoberefreshedwithwater,andwhohadsenthimthewinefromhisowntable,whenhewasshutup,withthecrowsflyingbelowhim,parchedwiththirst,inthecastleonthetopofSt.Michael'sMount,wherehisRedbrotherwouldhavelethimdie.
  BeforetheKingbegantodealwithRobert,heremovedanddisgracedallthefavouritesofthelateKing;whowereforthemostpartbasecharacters,muchdetestedbythepeople.Flambard,orFirebrand,whomthelateKinghadmadeBishopofDurham,ofallthingsintheworld,HenryimprisonedintheTower;butFirebrandwasagreatjokerandajollycompanion,andmadehimselfsopopularwithhisguardsthattheypretendedtoknownothingaboutalongropethatwassentintohisprisonatthebottomofadeepflagonofwine.Theguardstookthewine,andFirebrandtooktherope;withwhich,whentheywerefastasleep,helethimselfdownfromawindowinthenight,andsogotcleverlyaboardshipandawaytoNormandy.
  NowRobert,whenhisbrotherFine-Scholarcametothethrone,wasstillabsentintheHolyLand.HenrypretendedthatRoberthadbeenmadeSovereignofthatcountry;andhehadbeenawaysolong,thattheignorantpeoplebelievedit.But,behold,whenHenryhadbeensometimeKingofEngland,RobertcamehometoNormandy;
  havingleisurelyreturnedfromJerusalemthroughItaly,inwhichbeautifulcountryhehadenjoyedhimselfverymuch,andhadmarriedaladyasbeautifulasitself!InNormandy,hefoundFirebrandwaitingtourgehimtoasserthisclaimtotheEnglishcrown,anddeclarewaragainstKingHenry.This,aftergreatlossoftimeinfeastinganddancingwithhisbeautifulItalianwifeamonghisNormanfriends,heatlastdid.
  TheEnglishingeneralwereonKingHenry'sside,thoughmanyoftheNormanswereonRobert's.ButtheEnglishsailorsdesertedtheKing,andtookagreatpartoftheEnglishfleetovertoNormandy;
  sothatRobertcametoinvadethiscountryinnoforeignvessels,butinEnglishships.ThevirtuousAnselm,however,whomHenryhadinvitedbackfromabroad,andmadeArchbishopofCanterbury,wassteadfastintheKing'scause;anditwassowellsupportedthatthetwoarmies,insteadoffighting,madeapeace.PoorRobert,whotrustedanybodyandeverybody,readilytrustedhisbrother,theKing;andagreedtogohomeandreceiveapensionfromEngland,onconditionthatallhisfollowerswerefullypardoned.ThistheKingveryfaithfullypromised,butRobertwasnosoonergonethanhebegantopunishthem.
  AmongthemwastheEarlofShrewsbury,who,onbeingsummonedbytheKingtoanswertofive-and-fortyaccusations,rodeawaytooneofhisstrongcastles,shuthimselfuptherein,calledaroundhimhistenantsandvassals,andfoughtforhisliberty,butwasdefeatedandbanished.Robert,withallhisfaults,wassotruetohisword,thatwhenhefirstheardofthisnoblemanhavingrisenagainsthisbrother,helaidwastetheEarlofShrewsbury'sestatesinNormandy,toshowtheKingthathewouldfavournobreachoftheirtreaty.Finding,onbetterinformation,afterwards,thattheEarl'sonlycrimewashavingbeenhisfriend,hecameovertoEngland,inhisoldthoughtless,warm-heartedway,tointercedewiththeKing,andremindhimofthesolemnpromisetopardonallhisfollowers.
  ThisconfidencemighthaveputthefalseKingtotheblush,butitdidnot.Pretendingtobeveryfriendly,hesosurroundedhisbrotherwithspiesandtraps,thatRobert,whowasquiteinhispower,hadnothingforitbuttorenouncehispensionandescapewhilehecould.GettinghometoNormandy,andunderstandingtheKingbetternow,henaturallyalliedhimselfwithhisoldfriendtheEarlofShrewsbury,whohadstillthirtycastlesinthatcountry.ThiswasexactlywhatHenrywanted.HeimmediatelydeclaredthatRoberthadbrokenthetreaty,andnextyearinvadedNormandy.
  HepretendedthathecametodelivertheNormans,attheirownrequest,fromhisbrother'smisrule.Thereisreasontofearthathismisrulewasbadenough;forhisbeautifulwifehaddied,leavinghimwithaninfantson,andhiscourtwasagainsocareless,dissipated,andill-regulated,thatitwassaidhesometimeslayinbedofadayforwantofclothestoputon-hisattendantshavingstolenallhisdresses.Butheheadedhisarmylikeabraveprinceandagallantsoldier,thoughhehadthemisfortunetobetakenprisonerbyKingHenry,withfourhundredofhisKnights.AmongthemwaspoorharmlessEdgarAtheling,wholovedRobertwell.Edgarwasnotimportantenoughtobeseverewith.TheKingafterwardsgavehimasmallpension,whichheliveduponanddiedupon,inpeace,amongthequietwoodsandfieldsofEngland.
  AndRobert-poor,kind,generous,wasteful,heedlessRobert,withsomanyfaults,andyetwithvirtuesthatmighthavemadeabetterandahappierman-whatwastheendofhim?IftheKinghadhadthemagnanimitytosaywithakindair,'Brother,tellme,beforethesenoblemen,thatfromthistimeyouwillbemyfaithfulfollowerandfriend,andneverraiseyourhandagainstmeormyforcesmore!'hemighthavetrustedRoberttothedeath.ButtheKingwasnotamagnanimousman.HesentencedhisbrothertobeconfinedforlifeinoneoftheRoyalCastles.Inthebeginningofhisimprisonment,hewasallowedtorideout,guarded;butheonedaybrokeawayfromhisguardandgallopedof.Hehadtheevilfortunetorideintoaswamp,wherehishorsestuckfastandhewastaken.WhentheKingheardofitheorderedhimtobeblinded,whichwasdonebyputtingared-hotmetalbasinonhiseyes.
  Andso,indarknessandinprison,manyyears,hethoughtofallhispastlife,ofthetimehehadwasted,ofthetreasurehehadsquandered,oftheopportunitieshehadlost,oftheyouthhehadthrownaway,ofthetalentshehadneglected.Sometimes,onfineautumnmornings,hewouldsitandthinkoftheoldhuntingpartiesinthefreeForest,wherehehadbeentheforemostandthegayest.
  Sometimes,inthestillnights,hewouldwake,andmournforthemanynightsthathadstolenpasthimatthegaming-table;
  sometimes,wouldseemtohear,uponthemelancholywind,theoldsongsoftheminstrels;sometimes,woulddream,inhisblindness,ofthelightandglitteroftheNormanCourt.Manyandmanyatime,hegropedback,inhisfancy,toJerusalem,wherehehadfoughtsowell;or,attheheadofhisbravecompanions,bowedhisfeatheredhelmettotheshoutsofwelcomegreetinghiminItaly,andseemedagaintowalkamongthesunnyvineyards,orontheshoreofthebluesea,withhislovelywife.Andthen,thinkingofhergrave,andofhisfatherlessboy,hewouldstretchouthissolitaryarmsandweep.
  Atlength,oneday,therelayinprison,dead,withcruelanddisfiguringscarsuponhiseyelids,bandagedfromhisjailer'ssight,butonwhichtheeternalHeavenslookeddown,awornoldmanofeighty.HehadoncebeenRobertofNormandy.Pityhim!
  AtthetimewhenRobertofNormandywastakenprisonerbyhisbrother,Robert'slittlesonwasonlyfiveyearsold.Thischildwastaken,too,andcarriedbeforetheKing,sobbingandcrying;
  for,youngashewas,heknewhehadgoodreasontobeafraidofhisRoyaluncle.TheKingwasnotmuchaccustomedtopitythosewhowereinhispower,buthiscoldheartseemedforthemomenttosoftentowardstheboy.Hewasobservedtomakeagreateffort,asiftopreventhimselffrombeingcruel,andorderedthechildtobetakenaway;whereuponacertainBaron,whohadmarriedadaughterofDukeRobert'sbyname,HelieofSaintSaen,tookchargeofhim,tenderly.TheKing'sgentlenessdidnotlastlong.Beforetwoyearswereover,hesentmessengerstothislord'sCastletoseizethechildandbringhimaway.TheBaronwasnotthereatthetime,buthisservantswerefaithful,andcarriedtheboyoffinhissleepandhidhim.WhentheBaroncamehome,andwastoldwhattheKinghaddone,hetookthechildabroad,and,leadinghimbythehand,wentfromKingtoKingandfromCourttoCourt,relatinghowthechildhadaclaimtothethroneofEngland,andhowhisuncletheKing,knowingthathehadthatclaim,wouldhavemurderedhim,perhaps,butforhisescape.
  TheyouthandinnocenceoftheprettylittleWILLIAMFITZ-ROBERT
  forthatwashisnamemadehimmanyfriendsatthattime.Whenhebecameayoungman,theKingofFrance,unitingwiththeFrenchCountsofAnjouandFlanders,supportedhiscauseagainsttheKingofEngland,andtookmanyoftheKing'stownsandcastlesinNormandy.But,KingHenry,artfulandcunningalways,bribedsomeofWilliam'sfriendswithmoney,somewithpromises,somewithpower.HeboughtofftheCountofAnjou,bypromisingtomarryhiseldestson,alsonamedWILLIAM,totheCount'sdaughter;andindeedthewholetrustofthisKing'slifewasinsuchbargains,andhebelievedasmanyanotherKinghasdonesince,andasoneKingdidinFranceaverylittletimeagothateveryman'struthandhonourcanbeboughtatsomeprice.Forallthis,hewassoafraidofWilliamFitz-Robertandhisfriends,that,foralongtime,hebelievedhislifetobeindanger;andneverlaydowntosleep,eveninhispalacesurroundedbyhisguards,withouthavingaswordandbucklerathisbedside.
  Tostrengthenhispower,theKingwithgreatceremonybetrothedhiseldestdaughterMATILDA,thenachildonlyeightyearsold,tobethewifeofHenrytheFifth,theEmperorofGermany.Toraisehermarriage-portion,hetaxedtheEnglishpeopleinamostoppressivemanner;thentreatedthemtoagreatprocession,torestoretheirgoodhumour;andsentMatildaaway,infinestate,withtheGermanambassadors,tobeeducatedinthecountryofherfuturehusband.
  AndnowhisQueen,MaudtheGood,unhappilydied.Itwasasadthoughtforthatgentlelady,thattheonlyhopewithwhichshehadmarriedamanwhomshehadneverloved-thehopeofreconcilingtheNormanandEnglishraces-hadfailed.Attheverytimeofherdeath,NormandyandallFrancewasinarmsagainstEngland;for,sosoonashislastdangerwasover,KingHenryhadbeenfalsetoalltheFrenchpowershehadpromised,bribed,andbought,andtheyhadnaturallyunitedagainsthim.Aftersomefighting,however,inwhichfewsufferedbuttheunhappycommonpeoplewhoalwayssuffered,whatsoeverwasthematter,hebegantopromise,bribe,andbuyagain;andbythosemeans,andbythehelpofthePope,whoexertedhimselftosavemorebloodshed,andbysolemnlydeclaring,overandoveragain,thathereallywasinearnestthistime,andwouldkeephisword,theKingmadepeace.
  Oneofthefirstconsequencesofthispeacewas,thattheKingwentovertoNormandywithhissonPrinceWilliamandagreatretinue,tohavethePrinceacknowledgedashissuccessorbytheNormanNobles,andtocontractthepromisedmarriagethiswasoneofthemanypromisestheKinghadbrokenbetweenhimandthedaughteroftheCountofAnjou.Boththesethingsweretriumphantlydone,withgreatshowandrejoicing;andonthetwenty-fifthofNovember,intheyearonethousandonehundredandtwenty,thewholeretinuepreparedtoembarkatthePortofBarfleur,forthevoyagehome.
  Onthatday,andatthatplace,therecametotheKing,Fitz-
  Stephen,asea-captain,andsaid:
  'Myliege,myfatherservedyourfatherallhislife,uponthesea.
  Hesteeredtheshipwiththegoldenboyupontheprow,inwhichyourfathersailedtoconquerEngland.Ibeseechyoutograntmethesameoffice.Ihaveafairvesselintheharbourhere,calledTheWhiteShip,mannedbyfiftysailorsofrenown.Iprayyou,Sire,toletyourservanthavethehonourofsteeringyouinTheWhiteShiptoEngland!'
  'Iamsorry,friend,'repliedtheKing,'thatmyvesselisalreadychosen,andthatIcannotthereforesailwiththesonofthemanwhoservedmyfather.ButthePrinceandallhiscompanyshallgoalongwithyou,inthefairWhiteShip,mannedbythefiftysailorsofrenown.'
  Anhourortwoafterwards,theKingsetsailinthevesselhehadchosen,accompaniedbyothervessels,and,sailingallnightwithafairandgentlewind,arriveduponthecoastofEnglandinthemorning.Whileitwasyetnight,thepeopleinsomeofthoseshipsheardafaintwildcrycomeoverthesea,andwonderedwhatitwas.
  Now,thePrincewasadissolute,debauchedyoungmanofeighteen,whoborenolovetotheEnglish,andhaddeclaredthatwhenhecametothethronehewouldyokethemtotheploughlikeoxen.HewentaboardTheWhiteShip,withonehundredandfortyyouthfulNobleslikehimself,amongwhomwereeighteennobleladiesofthehighestrank.Allthisgaycompany,withtheirservantsandthefiftysailors,madethreehundredsoulsaboardthefairWhiteShip.
  'Givethreecasksofwine,Fitz-Stephen,'saidthePrince,'tothefiftysailorsofrenown!MyfathertheKinghassailedoutoftheharbour.Whattimeistheretomakemerryhere,andyetreachEnglandwiththerest?'
  'Prince!'saidFitz-Stephen,'beforemorning,myfiftyandTheWhiteShipshallovertaketheswiftestvesselinattendanceonyourfathertheKing,ifwesailatmidnight!'
  ThenthePrincecommandedtomakemerry;andthesailorsdrankoutthethreecasksofwine;andthePrinceandallthenoblecompanydancedinthemoonlightonthedeckofTheWhiteShip.
  When,atlast,sheshotoutoftheharbourofBarfleur,therewasnotasoberseamanonboard.Butthesailswereallset,andtheoarsallgoingmerrily.Fitz-Stephenhadthehelm.Thegayyoungnoblesandthebeautifulladies,wrappedinmantlesofvariousbrightcolourstoprotectthemfromthecold,talked,laughed,andsang.ThePrinceencouragedthefiftysailorstorowharderyet,forthehonourofTheWhiteShip.
  Crash!Aterrificcrybrokefromthreehundredhearts.ItwasthecrythepeopleinthedistantvesselsoftheKingheardfaintlyonthewater.TheWhiteShiphadstruckuponarock-wasfilling-
  goingdown!
  Fitz-StephenhurriedthePrinceintoaboat,withsomefewNobles.
  'Pushoff,'hewhispered;'androwtoland.Itisnotfar,andtheseaissmooth.Therestofusmustdie.'
  But,astheyrowedaway,fast,fromthesinkingship,thePrinceheardthevoiceofhissisterMARIE,theCountessofPerche,callingforhelp.Heneverinhislifehadbeensogoodashewasthen.Hecriedinanagony,'Rowbackatanyrisk!Icannotbeartoleaveher!'
  Theyrowedback.AsthePrinceheldouthisarmstocatchhissister,suchnumbersleapedin,thattheboatwasoverset.AndinthesameinstantTheWhiteShipwentdown.
  Onlytwomenfloated.Theybothclungtothemainyardoftheship,whichhadbrokenfromthemast,andnowsupportedthem.Oneaskedtheotherwhohewas?Hesaid,'Iamanobleman,GODFREYbyname,thesonofGILBERTDEL'AIGLE.Andyou?'saidhe.'IamBEROLD,apoorbutcherofRouen,'wastheanswer.Then,theysaidtogether,'Lordbemercifultousboth!'andtriedtoencourageoneanother,astheydriftedinthecoldbenumbingseaonthatunfortunateNovembernight.
  By-and-by,anothermancameswimmingtowardsthem,whomtheyknew,whenhepushedasidehislongwethair,tobeFitz-Stephen.'WhereisthePrince?'saidhe.'Gone!Gone!'thetwocriedtogether.
  'Neitherhe,norhisbrother,norhissister,northeKing'sniece,norherbrother,noranyoneofallthebravethreehundred,nobleorcommoner,exceptwethree,hasrisenabovethewater!'Fitz-
  Stephen,withaghastlyface,cried,'Woe!woe,tome!'andsunktothebottom.
  Theothertwoclungtotheyardforsomehours.Atlengththeyoungnoblesaidfaintly,'Iamexhausted,andchilledwiththecold,andcanholdnolonger.Farewell,goodfriend!Godpreserveyou!'So,hedroppedandsunk;andofallthebrilliantcrowd,thepoorButcherofRouenalonewassaved.Inthemorning,somefishermensawhimfloatinginhissheep-skincoat,andgothimintotheirboat-thesolerelaterofthedismaltale.
  Forthreedays,noonedaredtocarrytheintelligencetotheKing.
  Atlength,theysentintohispresencealittleboy,who,weepingbitterly,andkneelingathisfeet,toldhimthatTheWhiteShipwaslostwithallonboard.TheKingfelltothegroundlikeadeadman,andnever,neverafterwards,wasseentosmile.
  Butheplottedagain,andpromisedagain,andbribedandboughtagain,inhisolddeceitfulway.Havingnosontosucceedhim,afterallhispains'ThePrincewillneveryokeustotheplough,now!'saidtheEnglishpeople,hetookasecondwife-ADELAISorALICE,aduke'sdaughter,andthePope'sniece.Havingnomorechildren,however,heproposedtotheBaronstoswearthattheywouldrecogniseashissuccessor,hisdaughterMatilda,whom,asshewasnowawidow,hemarriedtotheeldestsonoftheCountofAnjou,GEOFFREY,surnamedPLANTAGENET,fromacustomhehadofwearingasprigoffloweringbroomcalledGen坱inFrenchinhiscapforafeather.Asonefalsemanusuallymakesmany,andasafalseKing,inparticular,isprettycertaintomakeafalseCourt,theBaronstooktheoathaboutthesuccessionofMatildaandherchildrenafterher,twiceover,withoutintheleastintendingtokeepit.TheKingwasnowrelievedfromanyremainingfearsofWilliamFitz-Robert,byhisdeathintheMonasteryofSt.Omer,inFrance,attwenty-sixyearsold,ofapike-woundinthehand.AndasMatildagavebirthtothreesons,hethoughtthesuccessiontothethronesecure.
  Hespentmostofthelatterpartofhislife,whichwastroubledbyfamilyquarrels,inNormandy,tobenearMatilda.Whenhehadreignedupwardofthirty-fiveyears,andwassixty-sevenyearsold,hediedofanindigestionandfever,broughtonbyeating,whenhewasfarfromwell,ofafishcalledLamprey,againstwhichhehadoftenbeencautionedbyhisphysicians.HisremainswerebroughtovertoReadingAbbeytobeburied.
  Youmayperhapshearthecunningandpromise-breakingofKingHenrytheFirst,called'policy'bysomepeople,and'diplomacy'byothers.Neitherofthesefinewordswillintheleastmeanthatitwastrue;andnothingthatisnottruecanpossiblybegood.
  Hisgreatestmerit,thatIknowof,washisloveoflearning-I