Synopses & Reviews
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR AND THE RULE OF THE NORMANS BY FRANK MERRY STENTON, MA LATE SCHOLAR OK KKHLK COLLEGE, OXFORD LONDON AND NEW YORK G. P. PUTNAMS SONS First Pullishid 1908 New Edition - 1925 Rqrinteel - - 1928 PREFACE IN attempting to write a life of William the Conqueror, one is confronted, at the outset, by a question of considerable urgency. The mere details of the Kings history, if full discussion were given to all matters which have been the subjects of controversy, would far exceed the possible limits of a volume to be included in the series to which the present book belongs. On the other hand, a life of William the Conqueror which ignored the changes in constitutional organisation and social life which followed the events of 1066 would obviously be a very imper fect thing. Accordingly, I have reserved the last three chapters of the book for some examina tion of these questions and I hope that the footnotes to the text may serve as, in some sort, a guide to the more difficult problems arising out of the Conquerors life and reign. There is no need to enter here upon a description of the authorities on which the following book is based. For the most part they have been the subjects of thorough discussion and, with one exception, they are sufficiently accessible in mod ern editions. The writs and charters issued over England by William I. are only to be found scat tered among a great number of independent iii iv Preface publications and the necessity of forming a collcc tion of these documents has materially delayed the appearance of the present work. It remains that I should here tender my thanks to all those who have rendered assistance to me during the writing of this book. Inparticular I would express my gratitude to my friend Mr. Roland Berkeley-Calcott, and to the general editor of this series, Mr. H. W. C. Davis. To Mr. Davis I am indebted for invaluable help and advice given to me both during the preparation of the book and in the correction of the proof sheets. To those modern writers whose works have re-created the history of the eleventh cent ury in England and Normandy I hope that my references may be a sufficient acknowledgment. V. M. S. SOUTH HILL, SOUTH WKLI., NOTTS, August 27, 1908. CONTENTS PACS INTRODUCTION ...... I CHAPTER I THE MINORITY OK DUKE WILLIAM AND ITS RESULTS ....... 63 CHAPTER It REBELLION AND INVASION .... 96 CHAPTER III THE CONQUEST OP MAINK AND THE BRETON WAR 126 CHAPTER IV THE PROBLEM OP THE ENGLISH SUCCESSION . 143 CHAPTER V THE PRELIMINARIES OF THfK CONQUEST AND THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS ..... l8o CHAPTER VI PROM HASTINGS TO YORK . . . . 21 J CHAPTER VII THE DANISH INVASION AND ITS SEQUEL . . 267 v VI Contents CHAPTER VIII THE CENTRAL YEARS OF THE ENGLISH REIGN . 304 CHAPTER IX THE LAST YEARS OP THE CONQUEROR . . 344 CHAPTER X WILLIAM AND THE CHURCH . . . 376 CHAPTER XI ADMINISTRATION . . . . . .407 CHAPTER XII DOMESDAY BOOK . . . . .457 INDEX ..... . 503 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE SEAL OP WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR Frontispiece From Rymors Fcedcra published 1704. JUMIEGES ABBEY FACADE .... 66 Reproduced by permission of Levy et ses Fils, Paris. JUMIKGBS ABBEY INTERIOR 80 Reproduced by permission of Levy et ses Fils, Paris. THE SIEGE OP DINANT ..... 140 FROM THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY From Vetitsta Monumenta of the Society of Antiquaries of London published 1819. SEAL OP EDWARD THE CONFESSOR . . . 148 From Rymcrs Fcedcra published 1704. HAROLDENTHRONED . . . . .158 FROM THE BAYKUX TAPESTRY From Vctnsta Monumenta of the Society of Antiquaries of Lout on published 1819. HAROLDS OATH ...... 162 f- ROM THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY From Vcliista Monumenta of the Society of Antiquaries of London published 1819. THE BUILDING OP HASTINGS CASTLE . . l88 FROM THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY From Vctusta Monumenta of the Society of Antiquaries of London published 1819. vii viii Illustrations PACK THE DEATH OP HAROLD 1 98 FROM THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY Prom Vctusta Momwnenta of the Society of Antiquaries of London published 1819...