and gave hostages to secure their dishonourable submission. But when the wealthy citizens reentered the walls, they were no longer the senate; the indignant people would not confess themselves bound by the act of the selfish few: they guarded the gates, and refused to hear of surrender. William, after reconnoitering the city, advanced, and approaching the gate, brought forth one of his hostages and put out his eyes. But the embittered inhabitants still would not hear of surrender; and having no pity for their own unfortunate townsmen in William's hands, abandoned them to his cruelty. The siege was continued till resistance was hopeless; the battlements were beaten down, and the lofty white walls fell shattered upon the ground, the foundations being burrowed through by the miners. Clergy and laity came forth soliciting pardon. William displayed a politic clemency: he accepted the proffered allegiance of the citizens, and protected their property from spoil, preventing his soldiers from entering the city, whilst the fury and storm of victory was raging. He profited by this forbearance: the soldiery would have plundered on their own account, not his; and at this juncture his object was not to punish but to secure he surveyed his conquest, and marked out the place for a very strong citadel: A castle built. Rougemont, for such it was called, rose with the usual rapidity. Baldwin de Moeles was placed in command: a large garrison prevented the Exeter taken. 1008 subdued. citizens from being tempted any more to assert their independence. From a republic, Exeter Cornwall became a municipality; and William's forces extending along the peninsula, his dominion was established even to the Land's End. 1068. England. § 10. William allowed his army to return to their homes, and celebrated a peaceful and joyful 23 March, Easter at Winchester. He could now fulfil his heart's desire: he sent a stately train to Normandy to bring over Matilda. She passed over Matilda visits with her court and courtiers, noble dames, prelates and barons; but none amongst these was more distinguished than Guido of Amiens, he by whom the victory of William had been so lately praised and sung, a grateful theme to Matilda, whose hands had just assisted in completing the tapestry in which she had laboured to commemorate her husband's deeds: that roll so frail and yet so enduring, which has outlasted many a castle, town and tower. The coronation was now to take place; but Is crowned. Stigand was again repelled from his office, and the solemn rite was fulfilled by Aldred on the 11 May. festival of Pentecost. Within the Within the year, Matilda education of Henry. was delivered of her youngest son, who received the name of Henry, and who became the peculiar object of his father's care. William had not Birth and neglected the education of any of his children; but with Henry, there may have been more opportunity for improvement. Lanfranc was his instructor, and Henry received that instruc 1068 Henry tion so willingly, that, at no period of his life did he neglect or lose his pleasure in the culti vation he had received. Beauclerc the boy was called, a name as appropriate to his form as to his mind, and though youngest in age, the English considered him highest in honour. He alone of all the Conqueror's children was the Porphyrogenitus, the son of a crowned king and a crowned queen; the son of a father and of a mother ordained to royalty, the only one upon whom, according to popular opinion, regality could descend: and many a prophecy of the British Merlin, now adopted by the English, testified the gladness with which they would view the accession of one whom they might consider as a national sovereign. CHAPTER X. WILLIAM'S POLICY-REVOLT OF EDWIN AND MORCAR-FIRST 1068-1072. 1068 Interval of 21. By the reduction of Exeter, William established tranquillity in Wessex: a temporary tranquillity, but which fully enabled him to peace. mature his plans of government. He might well expect the attacks of the Danes. Abbot Elsi had returned, and from him he might learn that Sweno, fully engaged in warfare with the Norwegians and the Swedes, could not then resume his plans of English invasion. of English and Normans. In the meanwhile the country prospered: Assimilation William's stern authority ensured the peace, and d more amity began to prevail amongst the English and the Normans. The partiality for French manners and customs, so encouraged by the Confessor, continued to encrease; and in dress and habits, and even in language, the natives more and more turned to their recent invaders. 22. The tranquillity of the country was dis VOL. III. FF Finds Do turbed, however, by Harold's son, Godwin, who had been assembling large forces in Ireland. The Somersetshire coast, where he expected cooperation, invited him. His fleet, in which without doubt, the larger portion of the crews consisted of Danes or Ostmen, entered the mouth of the Avon, ravaging the country. They advanced, and laid siege to Bristol. But the inhabitants of that great and opulent town withstood the marauders for their own sakes. They fought for goods and warehouses, wives and families, and beat the enemy off. However, much plunder had been gained, even in this expedition, which they secured on board their ships, and then spread themselves over the whole shire, doing great harm. Eadnoth, the standard-bearer of England: he who had been King Harold's standard-bearer, had no sympathy with Harold's sons: he raised the forces of the country and gave them battle. He himself was slain, but they were beat off with great loss, and comRetreat pelled to re-embark, and the English said that More lands bestowed. Godwin was not entirely dissatisfied with the results, as he was thus released from a portion of the exorbitant demands which he expected they would make for their equipment and pay. 3. The settlement of the country, meanwhile, was not intermitted. More and more lands, more and more domains, passed to Norman superiority. Geoffrey de Mowbray, Bishop of Coutances, he who had been so efficient in promoting the assumption of the royal authority, |