Part 7

When the Bishop had finished his speach, one _Anselme Fitz-Arthur_ stood vp amongst the multitude, and with a high voice said; _This ground whereupon wee stand, was sometimes the floore of my fathers house; which that man of whom you haue spoken, when he was Duke of Normandie, tooke violently from my father, and afterward founded thereon this Religious building. This iniustice hee did not by ignorance or ouersight; not vpon any necessitie of State; but to content his owne couetous desire. Now therefore I doe challenge this ground as my right; and doe here charge you, as you will answere it before the fearefull face of Almightie God, that the body of the spoiler be not couered with the earth of mine inheritance._

When the Bishops and Noble men that were present heard this, and vnderstood by the testimony of many that it was true, they agreed to giue him three pounds presently for the ground that was broken for the place of burial; and for the residue which he claimed, they vndertooke he should be fully satisfied. This promise was performed in short time after, by _Henrie_ the Kings sonne, who onely was present at the Funerall; at whose appointment _Fitz-Arthur_ receiued for the price of the same ground one hundred pounds.

Now when the body was to be put into the earth, the sepulchre of stone which stood within the graue, was hewen somewhat too strait for his fat belly; whereupon they were constrained to presse it downe with much strength. By this violence, whether his bowels burst, or whether some excrements were forced out at their natural passage, such an intolerable stinck proceeded from him, as neither the perfumes that smoaked in great abundance, nor any other meanes were able to qualifie. Wherefore the Priests hasted to finish their office, and the people departed in a sad silence; discoursing diuersly afterward of all these extraordinarie accidents.

A man would thinke that a sepulchre thus hardly attained, should not easily againe bee lost. But it happened otherwise to this vnquiet King; not destined to rest, either in his life or after his death. For in the yeere 1562. when _Chastilion_ tooke the Citie of _Caen_, with those broken troupes that escaped at the battaile of _Dreux_; certaine sauage Souldiers of diuers nations, led by foure dissolute Captaines, beate downe the Monument which King _William_ his sonne had built ouer him, and both curiously and richly adorned with gold & costly stones. Then they opened his Tombe, & not finding the treasure which they expected, they threw forth his bones with very great derision & despight. Many _English_ souldiers were then in the Towne, who were very curious to gather his bones; whereof some were afterwards brought into _England_. Hereby the report is conuinced for vaine, that his body was found vncorrupt, more then foure hundred yeeres after it was buried. Hereby also it is found to be false, that his body was eight foote in length. For neither were his bones proportionable to that stature, (as it is testified by those who saw them) and it is otherwise reported of him by som who liued in his time; namely, that he was of a good stature, yet not exceeding the ordinary proportion of men.

And this was the last end of all his fortunes, of all that was mortall in him besides his fame: whose life is too much extolled by the _Normans_, and no lesse extenuated by the _English_. Verely, he was a very great Prince: full of hope to vndertake great enterprises, full of courage to atchieue them: in most of his actions commendable, and excusable in all. And this was not the least piece of his Honour, that the Kings of _England_ which succeeded, did accompt their order onely from him: not in regard of his victorie in _England_, but generally in respect of his vertue and valour.

For his entrance was not by way of conquest but with pretence of title to the Crowne: wherein he had both allowance and aide from diuers Christian Princes in Europe. He had also his partie within the Realme, by whose meanes he preuailed against the opposite faction, (as _Caesar_ did against _Pompey_) and not against the entire strength of the State.

Againe, hee did not settle himselfe in the chaire of Soueraignetie, as one that had reduced all things to the proud power and pleasure of a Conquerour, but as an vniuersall successor of former Kings, in all the rights and priuiledges which they did enioy. Hee was receiued for King by generall consent; He was crowned with all Ceremonies and Solemnities then in vse; Hee tooke an oath in the presence of the Clergie, the Nobilitie, and of much people, for defence of the Church, for moderate and carefull gouernement, and for vpright administration of iustice.

Lastly, during the whole course of his gouernement, the kingdome receiued no vniuersall change, no losse or diminution of honour. For, neither were the olde inhabitants expelled, as were the _Britaines_; neither was the kingdome either subiected or annexed to a greater: but rather it receiued encrease of honour, in that a lesse State was adioyned vnto it. The change of customes was not violent and at once, but by degrees, and with the silent approbation of the _English_; who haue alwaies been inclinable to accommodate themselues to the fashions of _France_. The grieuances and oppressions were particular, and with some appearance either of iustice, or of necessitie for the common quiet; such as are not vnusuall in any gouernement moderately seuere. So the change was chiefly in the stemme and familie of the King: which whether it be wrought by one of the same nation (as it was in _France_ by _Pepine_ and _Capett_) or by a stranger, (as in the same Countrey by _Henry_ 5. and _Henry_ 6. Kings of _England_) it bringeth no disparagement in honour; it worketh no essentiall change. The State still remained the same, the solid bodie of the State remained still _English_: the comming in of many _Normans_, was but as Riuers falling into the Ocean; which change not the Ocean, but are confounded with the waters thereof.

This King had by his wife _Matild_, daughter to _Baldwine_ Earle of _Flanders_, foure sonnes; _Robert_, _Richard_, _William_ and _Henrie_: Hee had also fiue daughters; _Cicely_, _Constance_, _Adela_, _Margaret_ and _Elianor_.

_Robert_ his eldest sonne surnamed _Courtcuise_, by reason of the shortnesse of his thighs, succeeded him in the duchie of _Normandie_. He was a man of exceeding honourable courage and spirit, for which cause he was so esteemed by the Christian Princes in the great warre against the _Saracens_, that when they had subdued the Citie and territorie of _Hierusalem_, they offered the kingdome thereof first vnto him. Yet afterwards, either by the malice of his Fortune, or for that he was both suddaine and obstinate in his owne aduise (two great impediments that valour cannot thriue) he receiued many foiles of his enemies, which shall be declared in their proper place. Before the King made his descent into _England_, hee gaue the duchie of _Normandie_ vnto him: but whether he did this onely to testifie his confidence, or whether afterwards his purpose changed, being often demanded to performe this gift, he would neither deny nor accomplish his word, but enterposed many excuses and delayes; affirming that he was not so surely setled in _England_, but the duchie of _Normandie_ was necessary vnto him, both for supply for his seruices (which he found like _Hydraes_ heads to multiply by cutting off) and also for an assured place for retreit, in case hee should be ouercharged with extremities. Hereupon _Robert_ vnable to linger and pine in hopes, declared openly against him in armes. _Philip_ King of _France_ was ready to put fuell to the flame; who as he neuer fauoured in his owne iudgement the prosperous encreases of the King of _England_, so then he was vigilant to embrace all occasions, either to abate or limit the same. And thus _Robert_ both encouraged and enabled by the King of _France_, inuaded _Normandie_, and permitted his souldiers licentiously to wast; to satisfie those by spoile, which by pay he was not able to maintaine. At the last he encountred the King his father in a sharpe conflict, before the castle of _Gerberie_, wherein the King was vnhorsed and wounded in the arme; his second sonne _William_ was also hurt, and many of his souldiers slaine. And albeit _Robert_ so soone as he knew his father by his voyce, allighted forthwith, mounted him vpon his owne horse, and withdrew him out of the medley; yet did he cast vpon his sonne a cruell curse, which lay so heauie vpon him, that he neuer prospered afterward in any thing which hee vndertooke. And although after this he was reconciled to his father, and imployed by him in seruices of credit and weight, yet did the King often bewray of him an vnquiet conceit, often did he ominate euill vnto him: yea, a little before his death he openly gaue forth, _That it was a miserable Countrey which should be subiect to his dominion, for that he was a proud and foolish knaue, and to be long scourged by cruell Fortune_.

_Richard_ had erected the good expectation of many, as well by his comely countenance and behauiour, as by his liuely and generous spirit. But he died yong by misaduenture, as he was hunting within the New-forrest, before he had made experiment of his worth. Some affirme that he was goared to death by the Deere of that Forrest, for whose walke his father had dispeopled that large compasse of ground: others report, that as he rode in chase, hee was hanged vpon the bough of a tree by the chaps: others more probably doe write, that he perished by a fal from his horse. He was buried at _Winchester_ with this inscription: _Hic iacet Richardus filius Wilielmi senioris Berniae Dux_.

_William_ did succeed next to his father in the Kingdome of _England_. To _Henry_, the King gaue at the time of his death fiue thousand pounds out of his treasure; but gaue him neither dignitie nor lands: foretelling, that hee should enioy the honour of both his brothers in time, and farre excel them both in dominion and power. Whether this was deuised vpon euent; or whether some doe prophesie at their death; or whether it was coniecturally spoken; or whether to giue contentment for the present; it fell out afterward to be true. For hee succeeded _William_ in the Kingdome of _England_, and wrested _Normandie_ out of the possession of _Robert_. Of these two I shall write more fully hereafter.

His daughter _Cicelie_ was Abbesse of _Caen_ in _Normandie_. _Constance_ was married to _Allen Fergant_ Earle of _Britaine_. _Adela_ was wife to _Stephen_ Earle of _Blois_, to whom she bare _Stephen_, who after the death of _Henry_ was King of _England_. _Margaret_ was promised in marriage to _Harold_; she died before hee attained the Kingdome, for which cause he held himselfe discharged of that oath which he had made to the Duke her father. _Elianor_ was betroathed to _Alphonso_ King of _Gallicia_; but she desired much to die a Virgine: for this she daily prayed, and this in the end she did obtaine. After her death her knees appeared brawnie and hard, with much kneeling at her deuotions. Assuredly it will be hard to find in any one Familie, both greater Valour in sonnes, and more Vertue in daughters.

In the beginning of this Kings reigne, either no great accidents did fall, or else they were obscured with the greatnesse of the change: none are reported by the writers of that time.

In the fourth yeere of his reigne, _Lanfranke_ Abbot of _Caen_ in _Normandie_, but borne in _Pauie_, a Citie of _Lumbardie_, was made Archbishop of _Canterbury_: And _Thomas_ a _Norman_, and _Chanon_ of _Bayon_ was placed in the Sea of _Yorke_. Between these two a controuersie did arise at the time of their consecration, for prioritie in place: but this contention was quieted by the King, and _Thomas_ for the time subscribed obedience to the Archb. of _Canterbury_. After this they went to _Rome_ for their Palles, where the question for Primacie was againe renued, or as some affirme, first moued before Pope _Alexander_. The Pope vsed them both with honorable respect, and especially _Lanfrank_, to whom he gaue two Palles, one of honour, and the other of loue: but their controuersie he referred to be determined in _England_.

About two yeeres after it was brought before the King and the Clergie at _Windsore_. The Archbishop of _Yorke_ alleadged, that when the _Britaines_ receiued the Christian faith, in the time of _Lucius_ their King _Eleutherius_ then Bishop of _Rome_, sent _Faganus_ and _Damianus_ vnto them, who ordeined 28. Bishops, and two Archbishops within the Realme, one of _London_, and the other of _Yorke_. Vnder these the Church of _Britaine_ was gouerned almost three hundred yeeres, vntill they were subdued by the _Saxons_. The _Saxons_ remained Infidels vntill _Gregorie_ Bishop of _Rome_ sent _Augustine_ vnto them. By his preaching _Ethelbert_ King of _Kent_ was first conuerted to the Christian faith: By reason whereof _Augustine_ was made Archbishop of _Douer_, by appointment of Pope _Gregorie_; who sent vnto him certaine Palles with his letter from _Rome_. By this letter it is euident, that _Gregorie_ intended to reduce the Church of the _Saxons_ to the same order wherein it was among the _Britaines_; namely, to be vnder twelue Bishops and two Archbishops; one of _London_ and the other of _Yorke_. Indeede he gaue to _Augustine_ during his life, authority and iurisdiction ouer all Bishops and Priests in _England_: but after his decease he ioyneth these two Metropolitanes in equall degree, to constitute Bishops, to ouersee the Church, to consult and dispose of such things as appertaine to the gouernement thereof, as in former times among the _Britaines_. Betweene these he put no distinction in honour, but only as they were in prioritie of time: and as he appointeth _London_ to be consecrated by no Bishop, but of his own Synod, so he expresseth, that the Bishop of _Yorke_ should not bee subiect to the Bishop of _London_. And albeit _Augustine_ for the reason before mentioned, translated the Sea from _London_ to _Douer_, yet if _Gregorie_ had intended to giue the same authoritie to the successours of _Augustine_ which hee gaue vnto him, he would haue expressed it in his Epistle: but in that he maketh no mention of his successours, he concludeth, or rather excludeth them by his silence.

The Archbishop of _Canterbury_ alleaged, that from the time of _Augustine_, vntill the time of _Bede_, (which was about 140. yeeres) the Bishops of _Canterburie_ (which in ancient time (said he) was called _Douer_) had the Primacie ouer the whole land of _Britaine_, and _Ireland_; that they did call the Bishops of _Yorke_ to their Councels, which diuers times they kept within the Prouince of _Yorke_; that some Bishops of _Yorke_ they did constitute, some excommunicate, and some remoue. He alleaged also diuers priuiledges granted by Princes for the Primacie of that Sea; diuers graunted from the Apostolike Sea to confirme this dignitie in the successours of _Augustine_: that it is reason to receiue directions of well liuing, from whence we first receiued directions of right beleeuing; & therfore as the Bishop of _Canterbury_ was subiect to the Bishop of _Rome_, because hee had his faith from thence; for the very same cause the Bishop of _Yorke_ should be in subiection to the Bishop of _Canterbury_: that like as the Lord said that to all the Bishops of _Rome_, which hee said to S. Peter; so that which _Gregorie_ said to _Augustine_, hee said likewise to all his successours. And whereas much is spoken of the Bishop of _London_, what is that to the Archbishop of _Canterbury_? For, neither is it certaine that _Augustine_ was euer resident at _London_, neither that _Gregorie_ appointed him so to be.

In the end it was decreed, That _Yorke_ for that time should be subiect to _Canterburie_; that wheresoeuer within _England_ the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should hold his Councell, the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should come vnto it, with the Bishops of his Prouince, and be obedient to his decrees: that when the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should decease, the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should goe to _Canterburie_, to consecrate him that should succeed: that if the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should decease, his successour should goe to _Canterbury_, or to such place as the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should appoint, there to receiue his Consecration, making first his oath of Canonicall obedience. And thus was the contention for this first time taken vp; but in succeeding times it was often renued, and much busied the Clergie of the Realme.

In the ninth yeere of the reigne of King _William_ a Councell was holden at _London_, where another matter of like qualitie and nature was decreed: namely, that Bishops should translate their Sees from villages to Cities; whereupon in short time after, Bishops Sees were remoued, from _Selese_ to _Chichester_, from _Cornewall_ to _Exeter_, from _Wells_ to _Bath_, from _Shirbourne_ to _Salisburie_, from _Dorcester_ to _Lincolne_, from _Lichfield_ to _Chester_, and from thence againe to _Couentree_. And albeit the Archbishop of _Yorke_ did oppose against the erecting of a Cathedrall Church in _Lincolne_, because he challenged that Citie to be of his Prouince; yet _Remigius_ Bishop of _Dorchester_, being strong both in resolution and in friends, did prosecute his purpose to effect. Not long before the Bishopricke of _Lindafferne_ otherwise called _Holy land_, vpon the riuer _Tweed_, had bene translated to _Durhame_.

In the tenth yeere of his reigne the cold of Winter was exceeding memorable, both for sharpenesse and for continuance: For the earth remained hard frozen from the beginning of Nouember, vntill the middest of April then ensuing.

In the 15. yere a great earthquake happened in the month of April; strange for the strong trembling of the earth, but more strange for the dolefull and hideous roaring which it yeelded foorth.

In the 20. yeere there fell such abundance of raine, that the Riuers did greatly ouerflow in all parts of the Realme. The springs also rising plentifully in diuers hils, so softned and decaied the foundations of them, that they fell downe, whereby some villages were ouerthrowne. By this distemperature of weather much cattel perished, much corne vpon the ground was either destroyed, or greatly empaired. Herehence ensued, first a famine, and afterwards a miserable mortalitie of men.

And that all the Elements might seeme to haue conspired the calamity of the Realme, the same yeere most of the principall Cities in _England_ were lamentably deformed with fire. At _London_ a fire began at the entry of the West gate, which apprehending certaine shops and Ware-houses, wherein was Merchandise apt to burne, it was at once begun and suddenly at the highest. Then being caried with a strong wind; and the Citie apt to maintaine the flame, as well by reason of the crooked and narrow streets, as for that the buildings at that time had open and wide windowes, and were couered with base matter fit to take fire, the mischiefe spread more swiftly then the remedies could follow. So it raged vntill it came to the East gate, prostrated houses and Churches all the way, being the most grieuous that euer as yet hath happened to that Citie. The Church of S. _Paul_ was at that time fired; Whereupon _Maurice_ then Bishop of _London_, began the foundation of the new Church of S. _Paul_. A worke so admirable, that many did iudge, it would neuer haue bene finished; yet all might easily esteeme thereby his magnanimitie, his high erected hopes, his generous loue and honour to Religion. The King gaue towards the building of the East end of this Church, the choise stones of his Castle at the West end of the Citie, vpon the bancke of the Riuer Thames; which Castle at the same time was also fired: in place whereof _Edward Killwarby_ Archbishop of _Canterburie_ did afterwards found a Monasterie of blacke Friers. The King also gaue the Castle of _Storford_, and all the lands which thereto belonged, to the same _Maurice_, and to his successours in that See. And doubtlesse nothing more then either parcimonious or prophane expending the Treasures of the Church, hath since those times much dried vp those fountaines which first did fill them.

After the death of _Maurice_, _Richard_ his next Successour, as well in vertue as in dignitie, bestowed all the Rents rising out of this Bishopricke, to aduance the building of this Church; maintaining himselfe by his Patrimonie and friendes: and yet all which hee could doe, made no great shewe: so that the finishing of this worke was left to many other succeeding Bishops. Hee purchased the ground about the Church whereupon many buildings did stand, and inclosed the same with a strong wall of stone for a place of buriall. It seemeth that this wall was afterwards either battered and torne in some ciuill warres, or else by negligence suffered to decay: for that a graunt was made by King _Edward_ the second, that the Church-yard of Saint _Pauls_ should bee enclosed with a wall, because of the robberies and murthers that were there committed. Many parts of this wall remaine at this time, on both sides of the Church, but couered for the most part with dwelling houses.

The same yeere in Whitsun-weeke, the King honoured his sonne _Henrie_ with the order of Knighthood. What Ceremonies the King then vsed it is not certainly knowen: but before his time the custome among the _Saxons_ was thus. First, hee who should receiue the order of Knighthood, confessed himselfe in the euening to a Priest. Then hee continued all that night in the Church, watching and applying himselfe to his priuate deuotions. The next morning he heard Masse, and offered his sword vpon the Altar. After the Gospel was read, the sword was hallowed, and with a benediction put about his necke. Lastly, he communicated the mysteries of the blessed body of Christ, and from that time remained a lawfull Souldier or Knight. This custome of Consecrating Knights the _Normans_ did not onely abrogate, but abhorre; not for any euill that was therein, but because it was not altogether their owne.

This yeere in a Prouince of _Wales_ called _Rosse_, the Sepulchre of _Wawyn_, otherwise called _Gawen_, was found vpon the Sea shore. Hee was sisters sonne to _Arthur_ the great King of the _Britaines_; a man famous in our _Britaine_ Histories, both for ciuill courtesie, and for courage in the field. I cannot but esteeme the report for fabulous, that his bodie was fourteene foote in length. I doe rather coniecture that one credulous writer did take that for the length of his body, which happily might bee the length of his tombe.

It is constantly affirmed that the ground whereon the _English_ and the _Normans_ did combate, doth shew after euery raine manifest markes of blood vpon the grasse: which if it was not a proprietie of the soyle before, it is hard now to assigne, either from what naturall cause it doth proceede, or what it should supernaturally portend.

K. WILLIAM

THE SECOND,

sirnamed RVFVS.