The Fall of the Grand Sarrasin Being a Chronicle of Sir Nigel de Bessin, Knight, of Things that Happed in Guernsey Island, in the Norman Seas, in and about the Year One Thousand and Fifty-Seven

And my lord was not difficult of access. He sat in a deep chair in the hall, and round him were all manner of strange things whose shape and name I knew not, but little was ther...

As I remember, children, our armament made an exceeding fair show as we sailed with a fair wind out of Barfleur Harbour, and great joy I had that such good fortune had attended...

The cell had been dark before. Now it was black as night, and having eaten my friend's goodly parcel of food, I was refreshed, and eagerly awaited his return. Presently he was w...

Thus fell Le Grand Sarrasin, and I would fain finish this chronicle here, for all matters at the Vale most quickly returned to their old order, the next year being chiefly occup...

At last we reached the head of the glen, and far down below us we saw the blue water of the bay, enclosed on either side with its great rocky bulwarks. And a great portion of th...

Now, on the next day it was close upon the hour of Lauds, when the scouts that were set in sight of the château among the thick brushwood and gorse, came with great haste and to...

Next morning there was singing of "Non nobis" and "Te Deum" to boot by the brethren assembled in martial conclave on the open lawn. Their church was destroyed and its beauty per...

Of how I, _Nigel de Bessin_, was brought up by the monks of _the Vale_ in _Guernsey Island_, and how on a certain day the abbot gave me choice of two lives, and which I chose.

With a straight course that naught delayed we ran to St. Malo, that ancient town hard by the holy Mount of St Michael, the mother-house of our Vale Abbey, where I had good hope...

Now, for the next two days Samson had under review our islanders, and the brethren, who in martial accoutrements, and restored moreover already by good store of food, would fain...

It is long years ago since I was borne up the Castle Hill, the prisoner of the Moors, but I stand not upon any high hill even to-day to look down without remembering how I felt...

How at length I was brought before _William, Conquestor Invictissimus_, of all soldiers the greatest, and most invincible of dukes. Of the manner he received my mission, and of...

How I saw an evil face at a casement, and how, at my uncle's house of _St. Sauveur_, I heard tell of my father. And of what happed on our setting forth for _Valognes_.

What they waited for we guessed not, till a great black horse came cantering over the plain, and a whisper went through the ramparts: "The Grand Sarrasin himself!" And he it was...

Now, men were busy in the Vale. I have yet said no word of Vale Castle, built a mile away from the cloister, of hewn stone, goodly and strong. It lay upon the left horn of St. S...

Through that journey to Blanchelande I was able to give the first warning to the abbot, and Brother Hugo, our _tête d'armée_, of the presence of new pirates in the very midst of...

Now, by the ending of our battle before L'Ancresse Bay, the sun was setting, and for fear of some attack on us as we disembarked, Samson d'Anville thought it better that, though...

"We send the bearer with news of grave moment to thee and thy rule. A Sarrasin pirate even now lords it in Guernsey, and kills very many of thy lieges. Moreover, his force grows...

There was no attack of the pirates upon St. Pierre that night, and no assault on our castles or cloister. And those who had taken refuge within our walls, ladies and children fo...

I next prepared to start on my journey to St. Pierre Port; and, before I went, I tarried for awhile in the rude chapel of St Apolline, to say a prayer for myself and those good...

The pirates had put off in two long-boats, and in a short space of time entered the creek, and climbed across our boat to shore--if shore it could be called, where the rocks sto...

Of how I, _Nigel de Bessin_, was brought up by the monks of _the Vale_ in _Guernsey Island_, and how on a certain day the abbot gave me choice of two lives, and which I chose. 5

How I saw an evil face at a casement, and how at my uncle's house of _St. Sauveur_ I heard tell of my father--And of what happed on our getting forth for _Valognes_. 99

How, at length I was brought before _William, Conquestor Invictissimus_, of all soldiers the greatest, and most invincible of dukes--Of the manner he received my mission, and of...