preciate their invariable courtesy and attention too highly. To Sir F. Madden, the conservator of the manuscripts, to Mr. Panizzi, the chief librarian, to Mr. Cates and to Mr. Marshall, he considers himself especially indebted for the success with which he has been enabled to prosecute his repeated and multifarious inquiries. It may not be improper to add that the work will form a companion and complement to that in which the "Lives of the Queens of England" are related by the felicitous pen of Miss Agnes Strickland, with the peculiar grace of her own sex and with the research and strength of the other. March, 1846. T. R. THE LIFE OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. CHAPTER I. Birth and parentage of the Conqueror-Loves of Robert and ArletteNew memorials relating to them-Arlette's character and conductEnglish prejudices-Chronological dates-Robert's devoted attachment to Arlette, and to their son-Anecdotes of his family-Historical poem of Benois de St. More-Reputed marriage of Arlette-William's birth-place-Castle of Falaise-Description of it-Early life and education-Anecdotes and characteristics-Military exercises-Liberal education-Legitimate aspirants to the dukedom-Duke Robert's policy-Presents William to the States-Acknowledged as his heirHenry King of France appointed guardian-William is presented at the French court-Duke Robert's departure for the Holy Land-Anec dotes-Education at the French court-Studies-Military occupations -Field sports-Troubles in Normandy-Duke Robert's death-Return of the pilgrim knights-Feudal system in Normandy-Insurrections and violence of the barons-William invited to assume the ducal crown-King Henry's opposition-His intrigues-Joins William's enemies-Singular scene-The rebel barons defeated-William takes the field-His talent in war-His docility, prudence, and good fortune -Moderation and clemency-Continued successes-War with France King Henry retreats- Offers to negotiate-William's policy and magnanimity-Generous conduct-Conciliates the barons-Subdues and pardons his uncle-Treachery of King Henry defeated by the young duke-Ignominious flight and humiliation-Exploits of the Conqueror-His popularity with the Normans-Enters into a truce with King Henry-Returns in triumph to Falaise-Celebration of his victories. WILLIAM I., surnamed the Conqueror, King of England, and Duke of Normandy, was born on the 14th of October, in the year 1024. He was the illegitimate son of Robert,1 sixth Duke of Normandy, and of Arlette,' the daughter of a tanner at Falaise. It is not a little amusing to trace the ingenuity of the doughty vouchers of historic fiction, whenever they have a favourite point to carry; and in all that related to the adventure of Arlette, and the manner in which she attracted the eye of her princely lover, they found a rich field in which to expatiate.3 According to one of these amusing versions, Lord Robert, for he was then, as appears from various dates, neither a duke nor an earl, but a simple baron, while engaged in levying the ducal income-tax upon the refractory tanners, met with the tanner's daughter, and at once became a suitor to her beauty. A second describes him as a riding leisurely by the way-side, when he observed a party of young maidens dancing, and was suddenly smitten with the surpassing grace and loveliness of Arlette. By a third it is asserted that he met the lady-for she herself declares she was of gentle birth-in passing through his native town of Falaise ; and that he invited her attendance the same evening at his lodgings. A more agreeable supposition, but perhaps almost as apocryphal, is that of the lovers having first met at a dance during some public festival given by the "notables" or leading men of the ancient city of Falaise, among whom the sire of Arlette assuredly held a respectable rank.7 1 Several Norman chroniclers and most English historians, state that Robert was the eighth duke-evidently an error, if we may rely upon dates. He could not be the eighth Norman duke, as, previously to the invasion of France by Rollo, Normandy was known by the name of Neustria, and, commencing with that Danish founder of a dynasty, of which the present queen of Great Britain is a descendant, William the Conqueror ranks as the seventh duke. 2 Arlette is her proper and general designation by the early Norman historians. 3 Benois de St. More, in his curious and amusing heroic poem, written at the request of King Henry II., in which he celebrates the exploits of the Norman dukes and kings, gives us many naïve specimens, in a eulogistic strain, which partakes not a little of the marvelous. At the same time a few historic truths may be gleaned from it. He is surpassed, however, in his efforts to please the reigning family, by one of the Saxon genealogists, who tells a very plausible tale of the royal parentage and descent of the Conqueror's mother, Arlette; and who shall venture to disprove his story of the royal maid of Falaise ?-See Lives of the English Queens, by Agnes Strickland. 4 Chron. de Nor.; Nouvelle Hist. 5 Henderson, Life of the Conqueror. 6 Hayward. 7 Chron. de Nor.; Nouvelle Hist. de Nor.; Poésies de St. More, &c. |