The History of the Norman Conquest of England: The reign of Eadward the Confessor. 1868

English and Norman portraits of him

His strength of will, military genius, statesmanship, and un-
scrupulousness as to means

His personal virtues; general excellence of his ecclesiastical

appointments

Effects of his reign in Normandy, France, and England

General excellence of his government in Normandy

His reign in England; skill displayed in his claim on the

English Crown, in his acquisition of it, and in his subse-

quent government

Severity of his police

The worse features of his character brought out in Eng-

land; crimes and misfortunes of his later years

William's surnames; the Great, the Conqueror, and the

Bastard

Laxity of the Norman Dukes as to marriage and legitimacy;

special illegitimacy of William .

109

IIO

IIO III

III-112

II2

Story of William's birth; description of Falaise; historical

associations of the castle

English legend of the birth of William

1027-1028 Story of Robert and Herleva; advancement of her family;

birth of William

Question of the succession; state of the Ducal family;

various candidates, but none free from objection

The great Norman houses; their connexion with English

history.

Greatness and wickedness of the house of Belesme; crimes

of William Talvas; he curses young William in his

cradle

1034-1035 Robert announces his intention of pilgrimage

1035

He proposes William as his successor; his succession un-

willingly accepted

Robert dies on pilgrimage and William succeeds

Childhood of William; necessary evils of a minority

Anarchy of the time; building of castles; frequency of

assassinations

Effects of William's government in Normandy

§ 2. From the Accession of William to the Battle of Val-ès-dunes.

1035-1047.

Guardians of William; Alan of Britanny; Osbern; Gilbert

1039-1040 Murders of Alan and Gilbert

House of Montgomery; history of Roger of Montgomery
and his wife Mabel

Attempt of William of Montgomery on Duke William at

A.D.

CONTENTS.

xiii

Vaudreuil; murder of Osbern; escape of the Duke;
friendship of the Duke for William Fitz-Osbern.
Rebellion and Death of Roger of Toesny; houses of
Grantmesnil and Beaumont

Ralph of Wacey chosen as the Duke's guardian

Relations between Normandy and France; general good

understanding since the Commendation to Hugh the

Great; return of ill-feeling on the accession of William ;

ingratitude of King Henry

Castle of Tillières demanded by Henry; Gilbert Crispin
refuses to surrender, and is besieged; the castle surren-
dered, burned, and restored by Henry contrary to his
engagements

PAGE

Treason of Thurstan Goz; capture of Falaise Castle by the

Duke.

134-135

Developement of William's character

135-136

Abuse of ecclesiastical appointments by the Norman Dukes

Position of the Norman Prelates; their subjection to the

Ducal authority

1037-1055 Death of Archbishop Robert; succession and primacy of

Malgar.

1048-1098 Odo Bishop of Bayeux; his character in England and in

Normandy

Ecclesiastical movement in Normandy; foundation of

monasteries

136

Character of the monastic reformations in various ages

Abbeys of Bec and Saint Evroul

994-1034 Descent, birth, and early life of Herlwin

1034-1037 Herlwin's foundation at Burneville

1037-1078 He removes the monastery to Bec; his administration
1005-1039 Descent, birth, and character of Lanfranc.
1039-1042 He teaches at Avranches .