The Lives of the III Normans, Kings of England Part 2

I haue been the more long in describing this battel, for that I esteem it the most memorable and best executed that euer was fought within this land: as well for skilfull direction, as for couragious performance, and also for the greatnesse of the euent. The fight continued with very great both constancie of courage, and variety of fortune, from seuen of the clocke in the morning vntill night. Of the _Normans_ were slaine 6000 and more, besides those that were drowned and beaten downe in the water. The slaughter of the _English_ is vncertainely reported, but certainely it was farre greater then that of the _Normans_. Certaine also that their death was most honourable and faire, not any one basely abandoning the fielde; not any one yeelding to bee taken prisoner. And yet one circ.u.mstance more I hold fit to bee obserued; that this victory was gotten onely by the meanes of the bow and arrow: The vse whereof was by the _Normans_ first brought into this land. Afterward the _English_ being trained to that fight, did thereby chiefly maintaine themselues with honourable aduantage, against all nations with whom they did contend in armes; being generally reputed the best shot in the world.

But of late yeeres it hath bene altogether layed aside, and in stead thereof the harquebuze and calliuer are brought into vse: yet not without contradiction of many expert men of Armes; who albeit they doe not reiect the vse of these small pieces, yet doe they preferre the Bow before them. First, for that in a reasonable distance, it is of greater both certainty and force. Secondly, for that it dischargeth faster.

Thirdly, for that more men may discharge therewith at once: for onely the first rancke dischargeth the piece, neither hurt they any but those that are in front; but with the bow 10. or 12. rancks may discharge together, and will annoy so many ranckes of the enemies. Lastly, for that the arrow doeth strike more parts of the body: for in that it hurteth by discent; (and not onely point blancke like the bullet) there is no part of the body but it may strike; from the crowne of the head, euen to the nayling of the foot to the ground. Hereupon it followeth, that the arrowes falling so thicke as haile vpon the bodies of men, as lesse fearefull of their flesh, so more slenderly armed then in former times, must necessarily worke most dangerous effects.

Besides these generall respects in many particular seruices and times, the vse of the Bow is of greatest aduantage. If some defence lye before the enemy, the arrow may strike where the bullet cannot. Foule weather may much hinder the discharge of the piece, but it is no great impediment to the shot of the Bow. A horse strooke with a bullet if the wound be not mortall, may performe good seruice; but if an arrow be fastened in his flesh, the continuall stirring thereof, occasioned by the motion of himselfe, will enforce him to cast off all command, and either beare downe or disorder those that are neere.

But the cracke of the piece (will some man say) doeth strike a terrour into the enemie. True, if they bee such as neuer heard the like noise before. But a little vse wil extinguish these terrours: to men, yea to beasts acquainted with these cracks, they worke a weake impression of feare. And if it be true which all men of action doe hold, that the eye in all battailes is first ouercome, then against men equally accustomed to both, the sight of the arrow is more auaileable to victorie then the cracke of the piece. a.s.suredly, the Duke before the battaile encouraged his men, for that they should deale with enemies who had no shot. But I will leaue this point to be determined by more discerning iudgements, and happily by further experience in these affaires, and returne againe to my princ.i.p.all purpose.

The next day after the victorie the Duke returned to _Hastings_, about seuen miles from the place of the encounter, partly to refresh his Armie, and partly to settle in aduise and order for his further prosecution. First, he dispatched messengers to signifie his successe to his friends abroad; to the Pope he sent King _Harolds_ Standerd, which represented a man fighting, wrought curiously with golde and precious stones. Afterwards placing a strong garrison at _Hastings_, he conducted his Armie towards _London_: not the direct way, but coasted about through part of _Kent_, through _Suss.e.x_, _Surrey_, _Hamps.h.i.+re_ and _Barkes.h.i.+re_: the wayes where hee pa.s.sed being as free from resistance, as his thoughts were from change. At _Wallingford_ he pa.s.sed ouer the _Thames_; and then marched forward through _Oxford-s.h.i.+re_, _Buckingham-s.h.i.+re_, and _Hartford-s.h.i.+re_, vntill he came to the Castle at _Berkhamstead_. In this pa.s.sage many of his Souldiers languished and died of the Fluxe. And whether it were vpon licentiousnesse after the late victorie, or whether for want of necessary prouision, or whether to strike a terrour into the _English_, or whether to leaue no danger at his backe, he permitted the sword to range at large, to harrie freely, to defile many places with ruine and blood.

In the meane time the _English_ Lords a.s.sembled at _London_, to aduise vpon their common affaires; but the varietie of opinions was the chiefe impediment to the present seruice; the danger being more important, then the counsaile resolute, or the confidence a.s.sured. The n.o.bilitie enclined to declare _Edgar_ grandchild to _Edmund Ironside_, to be their King: and with these the _Londoners_ wholy went. But those of the Clergie were of opinion (some vpon particular respects, all vpon feare to displease the Pope) to yeeld to the storme and streame of the present time, to yeeld to the mightie Arme of G.o.d; that their forces being prostrated, their hopes feeble and forlorne, they must be content not to be constrained; they must not prouoke the Victor too farre; against whose forces and felicities, time gaue them not power to oppose. This deliberation held so long, that all the time of action was spent. For the Duke approched so neere the Citie, that many preferring their safetie before other respects, withdrew themselues and went vnto him.

Hereupon the residue dissolued: and _Alfred_ Archb. of _Yorke_, _Wolstane_ Bishop of _Worcester_, _Wilfire_ B. of _Hereford_, and many other Prelates of the Realme went vnto the Duke at _Berkhamstead_; accompanied with _Edgar_, Earle _Edwine_, Earle _Morchar_, and diuers others of the n.o.bilitie: who gaue pledges for their allegiance, and were thereupon receiued to subiection and fauour. The Duke presently dispatched to _London_, was receiued with many declarations of ioy, the lesser in heart, the fairer in appearance, and vpon _Christmas day_ next following was crowned King.

Now the meanes whereby this victory was[21] a.s.sured, were the very same whereby it was atchieued; euen by a stiffe and rigorous hand. For whosoeuer supposeth that a State atteined by force, can be reteined by milder meanes, he shall find himselfe disappointed of his hopes. A people newly subdued by force, will so long remaine in obedience, as they finde themselues not of force to resist.

And first he endeauoured either to preuent or appease all forren warres, especially against the _Danes_, who were then chiefly feared in _England_, as well in regard of their former victories, as for that they pretended t.i.tle to the Crowne. And herein two things did especially fauour his affaires. One, for that the _Normans_ were in some sort allied to the _Danes_; being the progenie of those _Noruegians_ and _Danes_, which vnder the conduct and fortune of _Rollo_ inuaded _France_, & after many great atchieuements, seated in _Normandie_. The other was, for that after the death of _Canutus_, the state of _Denmarke_ was much infeebled by diuision. For the _Noruegians_ set vp _Magnus_ the sonne of _Olaus_ for their King; but the _Danes_ acknowledged _Canutus_ the third of that name: by meanes whereof that puissant empire did languish in consumption of it selfe, and could not be dangerous to any neighbour Countrey. Yet ceased they not for many yeeres, to continue claime to the Crowne of _England_: But King _William_ had purchased many sure and secret friends in that diseased state, wherein all publike affaires were set to sale; especially he vsed the authoritie of _Adelbert_, Archbishop of _Hamburgh_, either to crosse all counsaile of hostilitie against him, or else to delay, and thereby to delude the enterprise, or lastly so to manage the action, that it should not worke any dangerous effect.

After the death of _Swaine_, _Canutus_ prepared a Nauie of one thousand saile for inuasion of _England_; and was aided with sixe hundred more by _Robert le Frizon_, whose daughter hee had taken to wife. But either for want, or else by negligence, or happily of purpose, this Nauie continued, partly in preparation, and partly in a readinesse, the s.p.a.ce of two yeeres, and then the voyage was layd aside. The cause was attributed to contrarietie of winds; but the contrariety of wils was the truest impediment. Likewise _Swaine_ had furnished against _England_ a Nauie of 200. sayle, commanded by Earle _Osborne_ his brother. Another fleete of 200. saile was set foorth vnder the charge of Earle _Hacon_: But King _William_ so corrupted them both, that the one departed out of the Realme without performing any great exploit, the other neuer would arriue.

Also out of these confusions in _England_, _Malcolme_ King of Scots, did take his opportunitie for action. Hee receiued into protection many _English_, who either for feare, or for discontentment, forsooke their Countrey; of whom many families in _Scotland_ are descended, and namely these; _Lindsey_, _Vaus_, _Ramsey_, _Louell_, _Towbris_, _Sandlands_, _Bissart_, _Sowlis_, _Wardlaw_, _Maxwell_, with diuers others. Hee entertained into his Court _Edgar Atheling_; and tooke his sister _Margaret_ to wife. He possessed himselfe of a great part of _c.u.mberland_, and of _Northumberland_; wherewith the people were well content, for that hee was their Earles sisters sonne.

Hereupon King _William_ sent against him, first, _Roger_ a _Norman_, who was traiterously slaine by his owne Souldiers, then _Gospatrick_, Earle of _Gloucester_: These did onely represse the enemie, but were not able to finish the warre fully. Lastly, hee went himselfe with a mighty armie into _Scotland_, where hee made wide waste, and in _Lothiam_ found King _Malcolme_, prepared both in force and resolution to entertaine him with battell. The great armie of King _William_, their faire furniture and order, their sudden comming, but especially their firme countenance and readinesse to fight, much daunted the _Scots_: whereupon King _Malcolme_ sent a Herault to King _William_, to mooue him to some agreement of peace. The more that the King was pleased herewith, the more hee seemed vnwilling and strange: the more he must be perswaded to that, which if it had not bin offered, he would haue desired. At the last, a peace was concluded, vpon conditions honourable for King _William_, and not vnreasonable for the King of _Scots_: whereby all the _English_ were pardoned, who had fled into _Scotland_, and borne armes against their King.

As for the _Welsh_, albeit both their courage and their power had been extreamely broken in the time of King _Edward_, and that by the valour and industry of _Harold_; yet vpon aduantage of these troubled times, they made some incursions into the borders of _England_; but in companies so disordered and small, so secretly a.s.saulting, so suddenly retiring, so desirous more of pillage then of blood, that they seemed more like to ordinarie robbers then to enemies in field. Against these the King ledde an armie into _Wales_, reduced the people both to subiection and quiet, made all the princ.i.p.all men tributary vnto him, receiued pledges of all, for a.s.surance of their obedience and faith.

Whilest the King thus setled his affaires abroad, he secured himselfe against his subiects,[22] not by altering their will, but by taking away their power to rebell. The stoutest of the n.o.bilitie and Gentlemen were spent, either by warre, or by banishment, or by voluntary auoidance out of the Realme. All these hee stripped of their states, and in place of them aduanced his _Normans_: insomuch as scarce any n.o.ble family of the _English_ blood did beare either office or authoritie within the Realme.

And these ranne headlong to seruitude; the more hasty and with the fairer shew, the more either countenanced or safe. These he did a.s.sure vnto him, not onely by oath of fidelitie and homage, but either by pledges, or else by reteining them alwaies by his side.

And because at that time the Clergie were the princ.i.p.all strings of the _English_ strength, he permitted not any of the _English_ Nation to be aduanced to the dignities of the Church, but furnished them with _Normans_, and other strangers. And whereas in times before, the Bishop and Alderman were absolute Iudges in euery s.h.i.+re, and the Bishop in many causes shared in forfeitures and penalties with the King; he clipped the wings of their Temporall power, and confined them within the limits of their Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction; to maintaine the Canons and customes of the Church, to deale in affaires concerning the soule. He procured _Stigand_ Archbishop of _Canterburie_, _Agelwine_ Bishop of _East-Angles_, and certaine other Bishops and Abbots, to be depriued by authoritie from _Rome_, and deteined them in prison during their liues, that strangers might enioy their places. The matters obiected against _Stigand_ were these.

1 _That hee had entruded vpon the Archbishop.r.i.c.ke whilest Robert the Archb. was in life._

2 _That he receiued his Pall from Benedict the fifth, who for buying the Papacie had bene deposed._

3 _That hee kept the Sea of Winchester in his handes, after his inuest.i.ture into the Sea of Canterburie._

He was otherwise also infamous in life; altogether vnlearned, of heauie iudgement and vnderstanding, sottishly seruiceable both to pleasure and sloath; in couetousnesse beneath the basenesse of rusticitie: insomuch as he would often sweare, that he had not one penie vpon the earth, and yet by a key which hee did weare about his necke, great treasures of his were found vnder the ground. And this was a griefe and sicknesse to honest mindes, that such spurious and impure creatures should susteine, or rather destaine the reuerence and maiestie of Religion.

Further, the King caused all the Monasteries and Abbeys to be searched, pretending that the richer sort of the _English_ had layd vp their money in them: vnder colour whereof he discouered the state of all, and bereaued many of their owne treasure. Some of these Religious houses he appropriated wholly to himselfe; of diuers others he seized the liberties, which they redeemed afterward at a very high and excessiue rate. Those Bishop.r.i.c.ks and Abbeis which held Baronies, and had bene free before from secular subiection, he reduced vnder the charge of his seruice; appointing how many Souldiers, and of what sort, they should furnish for him and his successours in the time of their warres. Those strangers which he entertained in pay, he dispersed into Religious houses, and some also among the n.o.bilitie, to be maintained at their charge: whereby he not onely fauoured his owne purse, but had them as a watch, and sometimes as a garrison ouer those, of whose alleageance he stood in doubt.

Now against the inferiour sort of people, knowing right well that hee was generally hated, hee prepared these remedies for his estate: All their armour was taken from them, they were crushed downe with change of calamity, which held them prostrate vnder yoke, and brake the very heart of their courage: leauing them no hope to be relieued, no hope to rise into any degree of libertie, but by yeelding entire obedience vnto him. Those who either resisted or fauoured not his first entrance, he bereaued of all meanes afterward to offend him; holding them downe, and keeping them so lowe, that their very impotencie made him secure. All such as had their hand in any rebellion, albeit they were pardoned their liues, lost their liuings, and became va.s.sals to those Lords to whom their possessions were giuen. And if they attained any thing afterward, they held it onely at the pleasure of their Lords; at the pleasure of their Lords they might bee despoyled.

Hee much condemned the iudgement of _Swa.n.u.s_ the _Dane_, sometimes King of _England_, who permitted those whom hee had vanquished, to retaine their former both authoritie and estates: whereby it happened, that after his death, the inhabitants were of force to expell the strangers, and to quit themselues both from their societie and subiection.

Hereupon many seuere lawes were made; diuers of all sorts were put to death, banished, stripped of their wealth, disabled in their bodies by vnusuall variety of punishments; as putting out the eyes, cutting off the hands and such like: not onely to diminish his feares, if they were suspected; but sometimes if they were of wealth, to satisfie therewith either his pleasure or wants. His cruelty made the people rebellious, and their rebellions made him the more cruell; in which case many Innocents were made the oblations of his ambitious feares. Many heauy taxations were imposed vpon them; their ancient Lords were remoued, their ancient lawes and policies of State were dashed to dust; all lay couched vnder the Conquerours sword, to bee newly fas.h.i.+oned by him, as should bee best fitting for his aduantage.

Hee erected Castels in diuers parts of the Realme, of which the Towre neere _London_ was the chiefe, which afterward was increased both in compa.s.se and in strength by addition of the outward walls. In these he planted garrisons of _Normans_, as if it had bene in a hostile Countrey; not without oppression to the people although they remained quiet, and sufficient to suppresse them if they should rebell. Thus he secured the Realme against a generall defection; as for particular stirres, they might happily molest him, but endanger him they could not. _Exceter_, _Northumberland_, and some other parts did rise against him in armes; but being vnable to maintaine their reuolt, their ouerthrow did much confirme his State.

Hee either imitated or concurred with _Caesar_ in aduise: For, as _Caesar_ inuaded the _Germans_ which kept the great forrest of _Ardenna_, not with his owne Souldiers, but with his aides out of _Gallia_; gaining thereby victory ouer the one, and securitie from the other, without any dispence of the _Romane_ blood: so after the Kings great victory against the valiant, but too aduenturous King _Harold_, when many of the English fled into _Ireland_, and from thence with fresh both courage, and supplies returned into _England_; commaunded by two of _Harolds_ sonnes; hee encountred them onely with _English_ forces. In the first conflict the Kings partie was ouerthrowen, and the valiant leader _Ednothus_ slaine, who had bene master of the horses to King _Harold_. In the second his enemies were so defeated, as they were neuer able to make head againe. So the victorers being weakened, and the vanquished wasted, the King with pleasure triumphed ouer both. Likewise when he was occasioned to pa.s.se the Seas into _Normandie_, either to establish affaires of gouernement, or to represse rebellions, which in his absence were many times raised; he drew his forces out of _England_, and that in a more large proportion then the importance of the seruice did require.

Hee also tooke with him the chiefe men of _English_ blood, as well to vse their aduise and aide, as also to hold them and their friends from working innouation in his absence.

He enclosed the great Forrest neere vnto the Sea in _Hams.h.i.+re_, for which he dispeopled villages and townes, about the s.p.a.ce of thirtie miles, to make a desert for beasts of chase; in which place afterward two of his sonnes, _Richard_ and _William_ ended their liues; _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 reuolt should be made. Diuers other parts of the Realme were so wasted with his warres, that for want both of Husbandrie and habitation, a great dearth did ensue; whereby many were inforced to eate horses, dogs, cats, rats, and other loathsome and vile vermine: yea, some absteined not from the flesh of men. This famine and desolation did especially rage in the North parts of the Realme. For the inhabitants beyond _Humber_, fearing the Kings secret hate, so much the more deepe and deadly because vniust; receiued without resistance, and perhaps drew in the Armie of the King of _Sueueland_, with whom _Edgar Atheling_ and the other _English_ that fled into _Scotland_ ioyned their power. The _Normans_ within _Yorke_ fired the suburbs, because it should not be a lodging for their enemies: but the strength of the winde caried the flame into the Citie, which consumed a great part thereof, with the Minster of S. _Peter_, and therein a faire Librarie. And herewith whilest the _Normans_ were partly busied, and partly amazed, the enemies entred, and slue in _Yorke_, in _Duresme_, and thereabout, three thousand _Normans_; among whom were many of eminent dignitie, as well for birth, as for place of their charge. But in short time the King came vpon them, and hauing partly by Armes, and partly by gifts dispatched the strangers, exercised vpon the _English_ an ancient and a.s.sured experience of warre, to represse with maine force a rebellion in a State newly subdued. Insomuch as all the land betweene _Duresme_ and _Yorke_, except onely the territorie of S.

_Iohn_ of _Beuerlace_, lay waste for the s.p.a.ce of nine yeeres, without inhabitants to manure the ground.

And because conspiracies and a.s.sociations are commonly contriued in the night, he commanded, that in all Townes and villages a Bell should be runge in the euening at eight of the clocke; and that in euery house they should then put foorth their fire and lights, and goe to bed. This custome of ringing a Bell at that houre, in many places is still obserued.

And for that likenesse is a great cause of liking and of loue, he enioyned the chiefe of the _English_ (and these were soone imitated by the rest) to conforme themselues to the fas.h.i.+ons of _Normandie_, to which they had made themselues no strangers before. Yea, children in the schoole were taught their letters and principles of grammar in the _Norman_ language. In their speech, attire, shauing of the beard, seruice at the Table; in their buildings and houshold furniture, they altogether resembled the _Normans_.

In the beginning of his reigne he ordeined that the Lawes of King _Edward_ should be obserued, together with those Lawes which hee did prescribe: but afterwards he commanded that 9. men should be chosen out of euery s.h.i.+re, to make a true report what were the Lawes and customes of the Realme. Of these hee changed the greatest part, and brought in the customes of _Normandie_ in their stead: commanding also that causes should be pleaded, and all matters of forme dispatched in _French_.

Onely hee permitted certaine _Dane_-Lawes, (which before were chiefly vsed in _Northfolke_, _Suffolke_, and _Cambridge_-s.h.i.+re) to be generally obserued; as hauing great affinitie with his _Norman_-customes; both being deriued from one common head.

Likewise at the great suit of _William_ a _Norman_ then Bishop of _London_, he granted a Charter of libertie to that Citie, for enioying the vse of K. _Edwards_ Lawes: a memoriall of which benefite, the Citizens fixed vpon the Bishops graue, being in the middest of the great West Ile of S. _Pauls_. Further, by the counsaile of _Stigand_ Archb. of _Canterburie_, and of _Eglesine_ Abbot of S. _Augustines_ (who at that time were the chiefe gouernours of _Kent_) as the King was riding towards _Douer_, at _Swanes...o...b.._ two mile from _Grauesend_, the _Kentish_ men came towards him armed, and bearing boughes in their hands, as if it had bene a moouing wood; they encloased him vpon the sudden, and with a firme countenance, but words well tempered with modestie and respect, they demanded of him the vse of their ancient Liberties and Lawes: that in other matters they would yeeld obedience vnto him: that without this they desired not to liue. The King was content to strike saile to the storme, and to giue them a vaine satisfaction for the present; knowing right well, that the generall customes & Lawes of the residue of the Realme, would in short time ouerflow these particular places. So pledges being giuen on both sides, they conducted him to _Rochester_, and yeelded the Countie of _Kent_ and the Castle of _Douer_ into his power.

In former times many Farmes and Mannors were giuen by bare word, without writing, onely with the sword of the Lord, or his head-peece; with a horne or standing goblet, and many tenements with a quill, with a horse-combe, with a bow, with an arrow; but this sincere simplicitie at that time was changed. And whereas Charters and deeds were before made firme by the subscription of the partie, with crosses of gold, or of some other colour; then they were firmed by the parties speciall Seale, set vpon waxe, vnder the _Teste_ of three or foure witnesses.

He ordained also his counsaile of State, his Chancery, his Exchequer, his Courts of Iustice, which alwaies remoued with his Court. These places he furnished with Officers, and a.s.signed foure Termes in the yere for determining controuersies among the people: whereas before all suites were summarily heard and determined in the _Gemote_ or monthly conuention in euery hundred, without either formalities or delay.

He caused the whole Realme to be described in a censuall Roll, so as there was not one Hide of land, but both the yerely rent and the owner thereof, was therein set downe; how many plowlands, what pastures, fennes, or marishes; what woods, parkes, farmes and tenements were in euery s.h.i.+re; and what euery one was worth. Also how many villaines euery man had, what beasts or cattell, what fees, what other goods, what rent or commoditie his possessions did yeeld. This booke was called _The Roll of Winton_, because it was kept in the Citie of _Winchester_. By the _English_ it was called _Doomes day booke_; either by reason of the generalitie thereof, or else corruptly in stead of _Domus Dei booke_; for that it was layed in the Church of _Winchester_, in a place called _Domus Dei_. According to this Roll taxations were imposed; sometimes two s.h.i.+llings, and sometimes sixe s.h.i.+llings vpon euery hide of land (a hide conteyning 20. acres,) besides ordinarie prouision for his house.

In all those lands which hee gaue to any man, he reserued _Dominion in chiefe_ to himselfe: for acknowledgement whereof a yeerely rent was payd vnto him, and likewise a fine whensoeuer the Tenant did alien or die.

These were bound as Clients vnto him by oath of fidelitie and homage; And if any died his heire being in minoritie, the King receiued the profits of the land, and had the custodie and disposing of the heires body, vntill his age of one and twentie yeeres.

It is reported of _Caligula_,[23] that when he entended to make aduantage of his penal Edicts, he caused them to be written in so small letters, and the tables of them to be fastened so high, that it was almost impossible for any man to read them. So the King caused part of those Lawes that he established, to be written in the _Norman_ language, which was a barbarous and broken _French_, not well vnderstood of the naturall _French_, and not at all of the vulgar _English_. The residue were not written at all, but left almost arbitrarie, to be determined by reason and discretion at large. Hereupon it followed, partly through ignorance of the people, and partly through the malice of some officers of Iustice, who many times are instruments of secret and particular ends; that many were extreamely intangled, many endangered, many rather made away, then iustly executed.

But here it may be questioned, seeing these Lawes were layed vpon the _English_, as fetters about their feet, as a ponderous yoke vpon their necke, to depresse and deteine them in sure subiection; how it falleth, that afterward they became not onely tolerable, but acceptable and well esteemed.

a.s.suredly, these lawes were exceeding harsh and heauy to the _English_ at the first: And therefore K. _William Rufus_, and _Henry_ the first, at such time as _Robert_ their eldest brother came in armes against them to challenge the crowne, being desirous to winne the fauour of the people, did fill them with faire promises, to abrogate the lawes of K.

_William_ their father, and to restore to them the Lawes of K. _Edward_.

The like was done by K. _Stephen_, and by K. _Henry_ the second; whilest both contending to draw the State to himselfe, they did most grieuously teare it in pieces. The like by others of the first Kings of the _Norman_ race, whensoeuer they were willing to giue contentment to the people: who desired no other reward for all their aduentures and labours, for al their blood spent in the seruice of their Kings, but to haue the Lawes of K. _Edward_ restored. At the last the n.o.bilitie of the Realme, with great dispence both of their estates and blood, purchased a Charter of libertie, First from K. _Iohn_, which was soone reuoked, as violently enforced from him: afterwards from King _Henry_ the third, which remained in force. And hereby the sharpe seuerity of these lawes was much abated.

In that afterwards they became, not onely tolerable, but easie and sweete, and happily not fit to bee changed, it is by force of long grounded custome, whereby those vsages which our ancestors haue obserued for many ages, do neuer seeme either grieuous or odious to bee endured.

So _Nicetas_ writing of certaine Christians, who by long conuersing with the _Turkes_, had defiled themselues with Turkish fas.h.i.+ons, _Custome_[24] (saith he) _winneth such strength by time, that it is more firme then either Nature or Religion_. Hereupon _Dio. Chrysostome_ compareth Customes to a King,[25] and Edicts to a Tyrant; because we are subiect voluntarily to the one, but by constraint and vpon necessitie to the other. _It is manifest_ (saith _Agathias_) _that vnder whatsoeuer law a people hath liued, they doe esteeme the same most excellent and diuine_.[26] _Herodotus_ reporteth, that _Darius_ the sonne of _Hysdaspis_, hauing vnder his Dominion certaine _Grecians_ of _Asia_, who accustomed to burne their dead parents and friends, and certaine nations of _India_, who vsed to eate them; called the _Grecians_ before him: and told them that it was his pleasure, that they should conforme themselues to the custome of the _Indians_, in eating their deceased friends. But they applied all meanes of intreatie and perswasion, that they might not be inforced, to such a barbarous, or rather brutish obseruation. Then hee sent for the _Indians_, and mooued them to conformitie with the _Grecians_; but found that they did farre more abhorre to burne their dead, then the _Grecians_ did to eate them.

Now these seuerities of the King were much aggrauated by the _English_, and esteemed not farre short of cruelties. Notwithstanding hee tempered it with many admirable actions both of iustice and of clemencie and mercie: for which hee is much extolled by the _Normane_[27] writers. Hee gaue great priuiledges to many places; & the better to giue the people contentment, and to hold them quiet, he often times renued the oath which first he tooke at his Coronation: namely, _to defend the holy Church of G.o.d, the pastors thereof, and the people subiect to him iustly to gouerne, to ordaine good lawes, and obserue true iustice, and to the vttermost of his power to withstand all rapines and false Iudgements._ Such of the n.o.bilitie as had been taken in rebellion, were onely committed to prison; from which they were released in time: such as yeelded and submitted themselues, were freely pardoned, and often times receiued to fauour, trust, and imployment.

_Edric_, the first that rebelled after hee was King, he held neere and a.s.sured vnto him. _Gospatric_ who had been a stirrer of great commotions, he made Earle of _Glocester_, and employed him against _Malcolme_ King of _Scots_. _Eustace_ Earle of _Bologne_, who vpon occasion of the Kings first absence in _Normandie_ attempted to surprize the Castle of _Douer_, he imbraced afterward with great shew of loue and respect. _Waltheof_ sonne to Earle _Siward_, who in defending the Citie of _Yorke_ against him, had slaine many _Normans_, as they a.s.sayed to enter a breach, hee ioyned in marriage to his Neece _Iudeth_. _Edgar_ who was the ground and hope of all conspiracies, who after his first submission to the King, fled into _Scotland_, and maintained open hostilitie against him, who pretended t.i.tle to the Crowne as next heire to the _Saxon_ Kings, he not onely receiued to fauour, but honoured with faire enterteinments. Hee furnished him to the warre of _Palestine_, where he atteined an honourable estimation with the Emperours of _Almaine_ and of _Greece_. After his returne he was allowed 20. s.h.i.+llings a day by way of pension, and large liuings in the Countrey, where he mellowed to old age in pleasure and vacancie of affaires; preferring safe subiection, before ambitious rule accompanied both with danger and disquiet.

Thus was no man more milde to a relenting and vanquished enemie; as farre from crueltie, as he was from cowardice, the height of his spirit, ouerlooking all casuall, all doubtfull and vncertaine dangers. Other great offenders he punished commonly by exile or imprisonment, seldome by death. Onely among the _English_ n.o.bilitie Earle _Waltheof_ was put to death, for that after twice breaking allegiance, he conspired the third time with diuers both _English_ and _Normans_ to receiue the _Danes_ into _England_, whilest the King was absent in _Normandie_. And for the same conspiracie _Ralph Fitz-aubert_ a _Norman_ was also executed; who had furnished 40. s.h.i.+ps for the King in his voiage for _England_: for which and for his other seruices in that warre, he was afterward created Earle of _Hereford_. But present iniuries doe alwayes ouerballance benefits that are past.

He much delighted in hunting and in feasting. For the first he enclosed many forrests and parks, and filled them with Deere; which he so deerely loued, that he ordained great penalties for such as should kill those or any other beasts of game. For the second hee made many sumptuous feasts, especially vpon the high Festiuall dayes in the yeere. His _Christma.s.se_ hee often kept at _Glocester_, his _Easter_ at _Winchester_, his _Whitsontide_ at _Westminster_; and was crowned once in the yeere at one of these places, so long as he continued in _England_. To these feasts he inuited all his n.o.bilitie, and did then princ.i.p.ally compose himselfe to courtesie, as well in familiar conuersation, as in facilitie to grant suits, and to giue pardon to such as had offended. At other times he was more Maiesticall and seuere; and imployed himselfe both to much exercise and great moderation in diet; whereby he preserued his body in good state, both of health and strength, and was easily able to endure trauaile, hunger, heat, cold, and all other hardnesse both of labour and of want.

Many wrongs he would not see, of many smarts he would not complaine; he was absolute master of himselfe, and thereby learned to subdue others.

He was much commended for chast.i.tie of body; by which his Princely actions were much aduanced. And albeit the beginning of his reigne was pestered with such routs of outlawes and robbers, that the peaceable people could not accompt themselues in surety within their owne doores; hee so well prouided for execution of Iustice vpon offenders, or rather for cutting off the causes of offence; that a young maiden well charged with gold, might trauaile in any part of the Realme, without any offer of iniurie vnto her. For if any man had slaine another vpon any cause, he was put to death; and if he could not be found, the hundred paide a fine to the King; sometimes 28. and sometimes 36. pounds, according to the largenesse of the hundred in extent. If a man had oppressed any woman, he was depriued of his priuie parts. As the people by Armes, so Armes by lawes were held in restraint.

He talked little and bragged lesse: a most a.s.sured performer of his word: In prosecution or his purposes constant and strong, and yet not obstinate; but alwayes appliable to the change of occasions: earnest, yea violent, both to resist his enemies, and to exact dueties of his Subiects. He neither loued much speech, nor gaue credite to faire; but trusted truely to himselfe, to others so farre as he might not be abused by credulitie.

His expedition (the spirit of actions and affaires) may hereby appeare.

He inuaded _England_ about the beginning of October; He subdued all resistance, he suppressed all rising Rebellions, and returned into _Normandy_ in March following. So as the time of the yeere considered, a man should hardly trauaile through the land in so short a time as he did win it. A greater exploit then _Iulius Caesar_ or any other stranger could euer atchieue vpon that place.