Part 8 (1/2)
[Footnote 3: The park of Quevilly. Henry II. built a palace there, which eventually became the priory of St. Julien; the chapel of which still subsists. An extensive forest adjoined.]
[Footnote 4: 'Damoisels,' young men of gentle birth, not yet knights.]
[Footnote 5: WILLIAM FITZ OSBERN, lord of Breteuil (de Bretolio), in the arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of Evreux. He was, by his father, the grandson of Herfast, brother of the d.u.c.h.ess Gunnor; and, by his mother, grandson of Ralf, count of Ivry. Both father and son held the office of seneschal, these household offices being among the Normans held by the persons of highest birth and eminence. Wace says of the household of duke Richard II.:
Gentil furent li capelain, Gentil furent li escrivain, Gentil furent li cunestable, E bien poessanz e bien aidable; Gentil furent li senescal, Gentil furent li marescal, Gentil furent li buteillier, Gentil furent li despensier; Li chamberlenc e li uissier Furent tuit n.o.ble chevalier.
William became earl of Hereford, and was killed in 1070. _Ordericus Vitalis_ 536, exclaims, 'Ubi est Guillelmus...o...b..rni filius, Herfordensis comes, et regis vicarius, Normanniae dapifer, et magister militum bellicosus? Hic nimirum primus et maximus oppressor Anglorum fuit, et enormem causam per temeritatem suam enutrivit, per quam multis millibus ruina miserae mortis incubuit.' His family were soon involved in rebellion, and disappeared in England. The Osbernus episcopus--of Exeter--in _Domesday_, was his brother. See Ellis's _Introduction to Domesday,_ i. 460-511.]
[Footnote 6: Benoit's more particular account of William's messages to Harold will be found in our appendix.]
[Footnote 7: The _Estoire de Seint aedward le rei_, (a MS. in the university library at Cambridge) makes Harold's tyrannical proceedings a prominent motive for William's expedition.]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
CHAPTER X.
HOW THE BARONS MET AT LILLEBONNE, AND WHAT AID THEY AGREED TO GIVE.
To consult on this matter before he opened his mind to any other, he sent for Robert, the count d'Ou[1], who dwelt by the men of Vimou[2], and Rogier de Montgomeri, whom he accounted a great friend, and Fitz Osber of Bretuil, William by name, the proud of spirit; and for Gautier Giffart, a man of great worth; and for his brother Odun, the bishop, and Robert of Moretoin[3], who was his brother also, and loved him much.
Both these were his brothers, but only on the mother's side. He sent moreover for Rogier de Vilers[4], who was much honoured and esteemed for his wisdom, and was now of considerable age, having sons who were already n.o.ble and brave knights. He was lord of Belmont-le-Rogier[5], and possessed much land. And he sent also for Iwun al Chapel, who had Muriel to wife, sister of the duke on the mother's side, Herluin being her father[6]. I know not if children were born to them; I never heard speak of any.
To these barons he told his design, before he made any great preparation.
He told them how he had lost his right, which Harold had seized; and that if they approved, he would cross the sea to avenge himself. If they were willing, he could easily recover his right by the aid of the people he could summon, and by G.o.d's permission. And they said they were all ready to go with him, if need were; and to pledge their lands, and even sell them, if necessary; that he need lose nothing of his right, but might rely on his men and his clerks. ”You have,” said they, ”a great baronage, many valiant and wise men, who have very great power, and are as able as we to whom you speak: shew these things to them; all should be taken into counsel who have to share the labour.”
So the barons were all summoned, and being a.s.sembled at a set day[7], the duke shewed to them that Harold had cheated him, and had stolen the realm whereof Edward had made him heir; that he wished to avenge himself if he could, but that great aid was wanted; and that he could not, without their help, have many men and many s.h.i.+ps, as he needed; let each say what he would do, how many men and s.h.i.+ps he would bring. And they said they would speak together about it, and that after holding counsel, they would answer him; and he consented thereto.
They remained long in council; and the debate lasted a great while; for they hesitated long among themselves what they should say, what answer they should give, and what aid they would afford. They complained much to each other, saying that they had often been aggrieved; and they murmured much, conferring together in small parties; here five, there fifteen, here forty, there thirty, sixty, a hundred. Some said they were willing to bring s.h.i.+ps and cross the sea with the duke; others said they would not go, for they owed much and were poor. Some would, others would not, and there was great contention amongst them.
Then Fitz Osber came forward and said, ”Why do you go on wrangling with your natural lord, who seeks to gain honour? You ought never to be wanting. You owe him service for your fiefs, and what you owe him you ought to render with all your might. Wait not for him to beseech you; ask him for no respite; but go forward at once, and offer him even more than you can perform. Let him not have cause to complain, nor miss his undertaking on your account. If he fail, he will perchance soon say (for he is of a jealous temper) that you are the cause of his loss. Take care that he has not to say, that his expedition failed through you.”
”Sire,” said they, ”we fear the sea, and we are not bound to serve beyond it; speak for us, we pray you, we put the speech upon you. You shall say what you will, and we will do accordingly.” ”Do you put it upon me?” said he. ”Yes,” said each, ”I agree, let us go to the duke; speak for us, for you know our minds.”
Then Fitz Osber went at their head, and spoke for them. ”Sire, sire, look around; there is no people under Heaven that so love their lord, or that will do so much for his honour, as the people you have; and much should you love and protect them. They say that to advance you, they would swim through the sea, or throw themselves into the raging fire; you may trust them much, for they have served you long, and followed you at great cost, and they will willingly continue to serve you. If they have hitherto done well, they will hereafter do yet better. They will pa.s.s with you over sea, and double their service. He who should bring twenty knights, will cheerfully bring forty; he who should serve with thirty, will now serve you with sixty; and he who owes a hundred will willingly bring two hundred. For myself, I will in good love bring to my lord, in his need, sixty s.h.i.+ps, well furnished and charged with fighting men.”
At these words the barons marvelled and murmured much, grumbling loudly at the great promises he made, for which he had no warranty. Many began to disavow him, and the court became much troubled; great noise arose, and the barons stormed. They feared that doubling their service would be turned into a charge on their fiefs, that it would grow to a custom, and would thenceforth become permanently due. The a.s.sembly was greatly troubled, the noise was great, and the clamour loud. No one could hear another speak; no one could either listen to reason, or render it for himself.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
Then the duke, being greatly disturbed by the noise, drew on one side, and sent for the barons one by one; and spoke with and entreated each, telling them what need he had; how much they stood in his love and grace; and that if they doubled their service, and did of their own accord more than they were bound in this undertaking, they would do well; but he pledged himself that they should not be called on in future for service beyond what was the custom of the land, and such as their ancestors were wont to do for their lord[8]. Each said what he would do, and how many s.h.i.+ps he could bring; and the duke had it all recorded at once, numbering the s.h.i.+ps and knights which the barons agreed to find; thus each named how many knights he would provide, and how many s.h.i.+ps he could bring. Of his brother Odo, the bishop, he received forty s.h.i.+ps as a gift. The bishop of Mans furnished thirty s.h.i.+ps with their crews; for he desired much to advance the duke. Each of the barons in like manner promised s.h.i.+ps, but how many each one said he would bring I do not know[9].
Then the duke called on his good neighbours, the Bretons, Mansels, and Angevins, and those of Pontif and Boloigne, to come with him in his need. To those who wished he promised lands, if he should conquer England. To many he promised other rewards, good pay, and rich gifts.
From all sides he summoned soldiers who would serve for hire.
He shewed to the king of France his lord, how for good cause and for his honour's sake he was about to cross the sea against Harold, who had broken faith and defrauded him. The duke went to speak with the king at St. Girmer[10] in Belveisen. He sought and found him there, and told him his situation, and that if he would aid him, and if by his help he should have his right, he would hold England of him, and would willingly serve him for it.
But the king of France said he would not do it, and that with his consent William should not go. For the French had besought their king, and counselled him not to advance the duke, or suffer him to strengthen himself. They said he was too strong already, and that it would be foolish to let him become still stronger; for if he were allowed to add the great power beyond sea, the wealth and great force of England, to the good chivalry and pride of Normandy, the king would never have peace in his life; he therefore ought rather to think of disturbing William, and preventing his rising higher, or pa.s.sing into England. ”You cannot aid the duke if you would,” they said, ”without means and money; all France would thereby be injured and impoverished, and therefore no Frenchman will follow you; no one will pa.s.s the sea, and if mischance befall you, you will be brought to great shame. The duke seeks your aid only for his own interest, for no good can come of it to you. When he shall have conquered England, you will have no more service from him; he serves you but little now, and he will then serve you still less. The more he has, the less he will do for you.”