Observations of all the Kings of England, Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
WILLIAM the first, sirnamed the Conqueror.
RObert Duke of Normandy, the sixth in descent from Rollo, riding through Falais a Town in Normandy, espied certain young persons dancing near the way. And as he stayed to view a while the manner of their disport, he fixed his eye especially upon a certain Damsell named Arlotte; of mean birth, a Skinners Daughter, who there danced among the rest. The frame and comely carriage of her body; the naturall beauty and graces of her countenance; the simplicity of her rurall both behaviour and attire, pleased him so well, that the same night he procured her to be brought to his lodging, where he begat of her a Son, who afterward was named William. The English afterwards adding an aspiration to her name, (according to the naturall manner of their pronouncing) termed every unchast Woman, Harlot.
He seized the Crown of England, Erat sapiens, sed astutus; locuples, sed cupidus; gloriosas, sed famae deditus; eras humilis, Deo servientibus; durus, sibi resist…ntibus. Huntington. hist. l 6. Alu… non habebat Gallia, qui talis praelicaretur eques & arma tus. Spectaculum erat delectabile simul ac terribile, eum cernere fr…ua moderantem, ense decorum, clypeo sulgentem, & galea teloque minitantem. Gesta Gulielmi Ducis Normannorum à Gulielmo …ctaviensi Lexoviorum Archidiacono.not as conquered, but by pretence of gift or adoption, aided and confirmed by nearness of bloud; and so the Saxon Laws formerly in force, could not but continue; and such of them as are now abrogated, were not at all abrogated by his conquest; but either by the Parliaments, or Ordinances of his time, and of his successours; or else by non-usage, or contrary custome. Mr. Seldens review of his History of Tythes, c. 8. see more there.
He never made the least pretence,Mr. Pryns seasonable, legall, and historicall vindication of the fundamentall Liberties, Rights, Laws of England, p. 382, 383. See more there. claim, or title to the Crown and Realm of England, only as an absolute Conquerour of the Nation; but meerly by title, as their true and lawfull King, by designation, adoption, and cognation, seconded with the Nobles, Prelates,See Sir Iohn Hayward in the life of King William the first, p. …9, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36▪ and Master Bacons first part of his historicall discourse of the uniformity of the Government of England, c. 44, 45, 46▪ 55, 56, and Carpenters Geog. l. 2. c. 14. p. 238. Versteg…ns Antiquities, c. 6. p. 171, 172. Clergy, and peoples unanimous election. And although it be true, that this Duke ejected Harold, and got actuall possession of the Throne and Kingdome from him by the sword; as did Au…elius Ambrosius; and others before; and King Henry the fourth; Edward the fourth; and Henry the seventh; yet that neither did, nor could make him a King by conquest only, no more than these other Princes; seeing the end of this Warre was not against the whole English Nation, the greatest part whereof abetted his interest; but only against the unjust usurper and intruder, King Harold, and his adherents.
Although the Laws of this Kingdome,It was a generall custome at that time in France, that Bastards did succeed, even in dignities of highest condi…ion, no otherwise than children lawfully begotten. Sir Iohn Hayward in the life of William the first, p. 4 5. He hath seven examples there of Bastards lawfull succession It is probable (saith the same Hayward) that this u…e was grounded upon often experience, that Bastards (as begotten in the highest heat and strength of affection, have many times been men of excellent proof, both in courage, and in understanding. …his was verified in Hercules, Alexander the great, Romulus, …, King Arthur; in Homer, Demosthenes, Bartholus, Gratian, … Peter Comestor. See Peacham▪ compleat Gentleman c. 1. p 9. … al…cubi le…sse, pris…os septentrionales populos etiam spurios … in succession…m; nec ill…us igitur tituli, gloriosum Angliae subactorem … Normann…m pu…sse videtur, qui Epistolam (ut alias plur…s) ad Alanum Brittaniae min…ris comitem, sic orditur Ego Wilielmus Cog…n…m…nto Bastardus. Henrici Spelmanni Glossarium. and of all other Civill States at this day, exclude Bastards (without a subsequent legitimation) from inheritance; yet by the Laws of Norway, a Princes Son gotten on a Concubine bond or free, was equally inheritable, as any other born in wedlock; which was I believe no small reason, why he stood at first so much for the Laws of Norway to have been generally received in this Kingdome. And some stories also say, that Arlet, or Arlee, (as she is sometimes written) was to him a good while vice uxor is. If she were so his Concubine (between whom and a wife, the old Imperialists make no other difference but honour and dignity; and by them also some kind of inheritance is allowed to such Bastards, as are naturales liberi, that is gotten on Concubines) it was much more reasonable that her son should be reputed as legitimate, than that the son of every single woman, bond or free, whether Concubine or no, should be so, as those of Norway allow. Mr. Seldens review of his History of Tythes.Vide Polyd. Virg. Aug. hist. l. 8.
First landing at Pems…y in Sussex, he fell down, stumbling as he came out of his Ship.Sir Iohn Hayward in the life of William the first, reports this jest somewhat otherwise, though he agree in the substance. O Dux Angliam tenes (said one of his Knights) Rex futurus, (so Matthew Paris) and espying that he had brought up sand and earth in his hand, added, Yea and you have taken Livery and Seisin of the Conutrey. Seldens Titles of honour in 4. to p. 34.
When he had landed his Forces, he fortified a piece of ground with strong trenches, and caused all his Ships to be set on fire, leaving to his Souldiers no hope to save themselves, but only by victory.
After this he published the causes of his coming in Arms; to challenge the Kingdome of England, given to him by his Cousin King Edward, the last lawfull possessor at that time thereof. And to revenge the death of his Cousin Alfred, Brother to the same King Edward, cruelly and deceitfully slain by Earl Goodwin, and his adherents.
In the Battell between King Harold and him,The arrow was first brought into this Land by the Normans. Hollinshed and Sir Iohn Hayward in William the first. at the last Hareld was struck with an arrow through the left eye into his brains, of which wound he presently died.
He was buried by his Mother at Walsham Cross, within the Monastery which he had founded.
Ibi Gulielmus perblandé ac perbenigné locutus,As long Bows were the weapons with which this King conquered England; so they were the weapons with which England under after-Kings conquered France; as if it were not enough for us to beat them, unless we did beat them with their own weapons. Sir Richard Baker. Subjectis humilis apparebat & facilis, inexorabilis erat rebellibus. Matth. Paris hist. Ang. simulque magnifica pollicitus, ab omnibus, quanquam non pari alacritate, diem festum celebrantibus, rex declaratur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 9.
Where this Battell was fought, the Conquerour after founded Battail-Abbey.
He was crowned at Westminster, by Aldred Archbishop of Yorke, anno Dom. 1066.
His strength was such,Daniels History. that few men could draw his Bow; and being about fifty of his age, when he subdued this Kingdome, it seems by his continuall actions, he felt not the weight of years upon him, till his last year.
He enclosed new-Forrest in Hamshire, Vide Henrici Spelmanni Glossarium. p▪ 287.for which he dispeopled Villages and Towns, about the space of thirty miles, to make a desert for Beasts of chase; in which place afterward two of his sons, Richard and William, ended their lives; Richard by a fall from his Horse; and William by the stroke of an arrow. The Kings great delight in hunting was made the pretence of this Forrest; but the true end was rather to make a free place of footing for his Normans, and other friends out of France, in case any great revolt should be made.
One Herlowin a Nobleman in Normandy, married his Mother Arlotte, and had by her a son named Hugh Lupus, to whom he gave the Earldome of Chester, to hold of him as freely by his sword, as himself held England by his Crown; by vertue of which Cran…, the said Hugh ordained under him four Barons; such an honour, as no Subject before or since, ever enjoyed the like.
Because conspiracies are commonly contrived in the night, he commanded that in all Towns and Villages, a Bell should be rung in the evening, at eight of the Clock, called Curfu-Bell;Curfu, aliter Corerfu, à Gal. Couvrir, tege re; feu ignis Latine, Ignitagium. Spelmanni Glossartum. Vt ferociam populi ad otiumper-ducere…, omnibus … ademit, statuit que ut quisque pater familias vesperi▪ circiter horam octavam, post meridiem, tecto ciueribus igne, dormitum tret; & ad ad signum vicat…m dari voluit, per campanas, it quot etiam nunc servatur, & Normannice vulgo dicitur, Coverfu. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist l. 9. and that in every house they should then put forth their fire and lights, and go to bed; which custome of ringing a Bell at that hour, in many places is still observed.
William the first, whom pride, craft, profit swayd, Did England, but his conscience first invade. Dr. Holiday his Survey of the world. Book 9.
By the counsell of Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury; and of Eglesme Abbot of St. Augustines, (who at that time were chief governers of Kent) as the King was riding towards Dover, at Swanescombe, two miles from Graveseud, the Kentish men came towards him armed; and bearing boughs in ther hands, as if it had been a moving wood, they enclosed him upon the sudden, and with a firm countenance, but words well tempered with modesty and res…ect, they demanded of him the use of their ancient Liberties and Laws; that in other matters they would yeeld obedience to him; that without this they desired not to live. The King yeelded to them for the present; knowing right well, that the generall Customes and Laws of the residue of the Realm, would in short time overflow these particular places. So pledges being given on both sides, they conducted him to Rochester, and yeelded the County of Kent, and the Castle of Dover into his power.
He took the review and account of all the Towns and land in England. Lamberts Archeion. p. 24. Monumentum totius Britranniae, non dico antiquissimum, sed absque controversia augustissimum, duobus magnis voluminibus, Angliae descriptionem continens.This Book was called the Roll of Winton, because it was kept in the City of Winchester. By the English it was called Doomes-day Book; either by reason of the generality thereof; or else corruptly instead of Domus Dei Book, because it was layed in the Church of Winchester, in a place called Domus Dei.
According to this Roll taxations were imposed;Aliàs Liber judiciarius; aliàs censuali… Angliae; aliàs Angliae noticia, & lustratio; interdum Rotulus Regis & (à similitudine antiquioris) Rotulus Wintoniae, & Liber Wintoniae nuncupatum Spelmanni Glossarium. Vide plura ibid. & … praefat. ad Eadmeri historiam. sometimes two shillings, and sometimes six shillings upon every Hide of land, (a Hide containing twenty Acres) besides ordinary provision for his house. Vide Seldeni Analecta Anglobrit, l. 2. c. 4. & Spelmanni Glossarium, p. 352.
He was too covetous.
Sola est do qua merito culpetur pecuniae cupiditas, quam undecunque captatis occasionibus, nihil unquam pensi habuit, quin corroderet, faceret, diceret nonnulla, & pene omnia, tanta majestate indigniora, ubi spes nummi effulsisset. Malmesb. de Wilielmo primo. l. 3.
He would often swear by Gods resurrection,Sir Iohn Hayward in his life. p. 23. & …14. and his brightness.
Talia per resurrectionem, & splendor… Dei pronuncians, quod solere… ex industria talia sacramenta facere, quae ipso habitu oris terrificum quiddam auditorum memibus insonarent. Malmesb. de Wilielmo primo.
He bare such reverence to Lanfrancke, Archbishop of Canterbury, that he seemed to stand at his directions.
Malmesbury l. 4. de Wilielmo secundo, saith, Diu dubitavit mundus, quo tandem vergeret, quo se inclinaret indoles ejus. Inter initia vivente Lanfranco Archiepiscopo ab omni crimine abhorrebat, ut unicum fore Regum speculum speraretur. Quo defuncto aliquandiu varium se praestitit aequali lance vitiorum atque virtutum.
He respected Aldred Archbishop of York, by whom he had been crowned King of England, as his Father. At a time upon the repulse of a certain suit, the Archbishop brake forth into discontentment, expostulated sharply against the King, and in a humorous heat offered to depart.Sir Iohn Hayward. But the King stayed him, fell down at his feet, desired pardon, and promised satisfaction in the best manner▪ that he could. The Nobility which were present, put the Archbishop in minde, that he should cause the King to arise; nay (answered the Archbishop) let him alone; let him still abide at St. Peters feet. So with much ado he was appeased, and entreated to accept his suit.
By reason of sickness he kept his chamber a long time; whereat the French King scoffing, said, The King of England lyeth long in Childbed. Cardinal Perron the learned French man, was a fat corpulent man, and had a great belly. A French Lady to quip him, said thus to him, Mouasieur qua…d vous vous accoucherez? To whom he replyed, Quand vou… s…ras sage femme.Which when it was reported unto King William, he answered, When I am Churched, there shall be a thousand lights in France, (alluding to the lights that Women used to bear, when they were Churched) and that he performed within few dayes after, wasting the French Frontiers with fire and sword. Malmesb. de Wilielmo primo. l. 4.
Some of the Earls conspiring against him; he perceiving his estate to be now brought into no small danger, and loath to put all upon the hazard and fortune of a Battell, against men so well provided, and with desperation armed, as a man perplexed, entred into consultation with L…nfrancke, then Archbishop of Canterbury, what course were now best for him to take, for the appeasing of these so great and dangerous troubles. By whose advice he came to a parl with the English Nobility, where after much reasoning and debating of the matter, a peace was at length concluded and agreed upon; so that the English men laying down their Arms, the Conquerour in the presence of the Archbishop Lanfrancke, and others, took a solemn Oath upon the holy Evangelists, and all the reliques of the Churches of St. Albans, from thence forth to observe and keep the good and ancient Laws of the Realm, which the noble Kings of England his Predecessors had before made and ordained; but especially those of St. Edwar…, of all others supposed to be most equall and indifferent, for the gene…all good of the people.
He courteously received, and honourably maintained Edgar Etheling in his Court, allowing him a pound weight of silver every day to spend; a rare example of a victorious Conqueror, shewed upon a man so unconstant,Speed. (who twice had broken his Oath of fidelity) and dangerous to be so near unto his person, being as he was, a competitor of his Crown.
During all his Raign,Silent l…gos inter arma. either the sword was not put up into the scabbard;Lambards Ar…tion▪ or if it were, the hand was alwayes upon the hilt, ready to draw it. So unwilling on the one part were the English men to bear the yoke; and so haughty on the other part were the Norman Conquerors, that to be called an English man, was in their eyes a great concumely; insomuch as it made some of the more light-conceited of the English, to seek to better their esteem, by imitating the Normans both in apparrell and language; which among the graver sort bred the Proverb,Verstegans Antiq. c. 6. p. 182. that Jack would be a Gentleman, if he could speak French.
He favoured learned men, and drew out of Italy, Lanfrancke, Anselme, Durand, Trahern, Pueritiam a… spem regui literis municbat, subinde patre quoque audiento jactare Proverbium solitus; Rex illiteratus, Asinus coronatus. Malmesb. de Henrico primo. l 5.and divers others famous at that time, for learning and piety.
'Tis better with William Hunter, than with William the Conqueror. 'Tis better to have a name in the Book of Martyrs, than in the Book of Chronicles. Mr. Nortons life of Mr. Iohn Cotton.
Perceiving his own defects in some points for want of learning, he did exhort his children oftentimes to learning with this saying, An unlearned Prince is a crowned Ass; which speech took great impression in his son Henry.
This is one speciall honour attributed unto him, that from him we begin the Computation of our Kings of England.
From the Normans, bearing of Armes began amongst us.
Ab eo posteriores series Regum inchoavere, perinde acsi de integro ille regnum ipsum institu… isset, Regesque qui se…uti sunt, usi similiter sunt, ut nunc utuntur, insignibus Regiis, quae dedisset. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 9.
Nostrates, priusquam in Angliam penetrasset Wilielmus primus, hunc armorum cultum à Normannis videntur accepisse. Spelmanni Aspilegia. p. 40. Vide etiam p. 44.
He ended his life upon the ninth day of September, One and twenty years and one monethmonth saith Fox. Seventy four saith Polyd. Virgil.full both of honour and of age, when he had raigned twenty years, eight moneths, and sixteen dayes, in the threescore and fourth year of his age.
His dead body was not only abandoned,Qua enim conditio sortis humanae non moneat ad pictatem, cùm auditum su…rit Regem istum qui tantae potentiae in vitâ suâ extitit, ut in tota Anglia, in tota Normannia, in tota Cinomanensi patria, ne…o contra imperium ejus manum movere auderet. Mox ut in terram spiritum exhalaturus, positus est, ab omni homine, sicut accepimus, uno solo duntaxat serviente excepto, derelictum cadaver ejus sine omni pompa per Sequanam na…cella delatum, & cum scpeliri deberet, ipsam terram sepulturae illius à quodam rustico calumniatam, qui eam hereditario jure reclamans, conquestus est illam sibi jam olim ab codem injuria fuisse ablatam. E…dmeri historia novorum. Vi… Ma…mesb. & Polyd. Virg. de Wilielmo primo. but left almost naked upon the ground.
Being conveyed from Roan (where he died) to Cane, one Fitz Arthur denied the King buriall in the Abbey-Church, (as ground which was wrongfully taken by the King from his Father) till he had a hundred pounds paid him for it.
Mr. Ienkyn in his Exposition of the Epistle of Iude, vers. 4. p. 351. saith, Of our twenty five Monarchs since the Conquest, thirteen (taking in three who are thought to be poysoned) are said to have had violent and untimely deaths.