The Little Duke: Richard the Fearless. Yonge Charlotte Mary

the old Abbey, endowed it richly, and sent for Martin himself from France, to become the Abbot; he delighted in nothing so much as praying there, conversing with the Abbot, and hearing him read holy books; and he felt his temporal affairs, and the state and splendour of his rank, so great a temptation, that he had one day come to the Abbot, and entreated to be allowed to lay them aside, and become a brother of the order.  But Martin had refused to receive his vows.  He had told him that he had no right to neglect or forsake the duties of the station which God had appointed him; that it would be a sin to leave the post which had been given him to defend; and that the way marked out for him to serve God was by doing justice among his people, and using his power to defend the right.  Not till he had done his allotted work, and his son was old enough to take his place as ruler of the Normans, might he cease from his active duties, quit the turmoil of the world, and seek the repose of the cloister.  It was in this hope of peaceful retirement, that William had delighted to treasure up the humble garments that he hoped one day to wear in peace and holiness.

      1

      Richard’s place of education was Bayeaux; for, as Duke William says in the rhymed Chronicle of Normandy,—

      “Si à Roem le faz garder

      E norir, gaires longement

      Il ne saura parlier neiant

      Daneis, kar nul n l’i parole.

      Si voil qu’il seit à tele escole

      Qù l’en le sache endoctriner

      Que as Daneis sache parler.

      Ci ne sevent riens fors Romanz

      Mais à Baieux en à tanz

      Qui ne sevent si Daneis non.”

      2

      Bernard was founder of the family of Harcourt of Nuneham.  Ferrières, the ancestor of that of Ferrars.

      3

      In the same Chronicle, William Longsword directs that,—

      “Tant seit apris qu’il lise un bref

      Kar ceo ne li ert pas trop gref.”

      4

      Hako of Norway was educated by Ethelstane of England.  It was Foulques le Bon, the contemporary Count of Anjou, who, when derided by Louis IV. for serving in the choir of Tours, wrote the following retort: “The Count of Anjou to the King of France.  Apprenez, Mons

1

Richard’s place of education was Bayeaux; for, as Duke William says in the rhymed Chronicle of Normandy,—

“Si à Roem le faz garderE norir, gaires longementIl ne saura parlier neiantDaneis, kar nul n l’i parole.Si voil qu’il seit à tele escoleQù l’en le sache endoctrinerQue as Daneis sache parler.Ci ne sevent riens fors RomanzMais à Baieux en à tanzQui ne sevent si Daneis non.”

2

Bernard was founder of the family of Harcourt of Nuneham.  Ferrières, the ancestor of that of Ferrars.

3

In the same Chronicle, William Longsword directs that,—

“Tant seit apris qu’il lise un brefKar ceo ne li ert pas trop gref.”

4

Hako of Norway was educated by Ethelstane of England.  It was Foulques le Bon, the contemporary Count of Anjou, who, when derided by Louis IV. for serving in the choir of Tours, wrote the following retort: “The Count of Anjou to the King of France.  Apprenez, Monseigneur, qu’un roi sans lettres est une âne couronné.”

5

The Banner of Normandy was a cross till William the Conqueror adopted the lion.

6

“Sire, soiés mon escus, soiés mes defendemens.” Histoire des Ducs de Normandie (Michel).

7

The Cathedral was afterwards built by Richard himself.

8

Sus le maistre autel del igliseLi unt sa feauté jurée.

9

Une clef d’argent unt troveeA sun braiol estreit noee.Tout la gent se merveillontQue cete clef signifiont.* * * *Ni la cuoule e l’estamineEn aveit il en un archete,Que disfermeront ceste claveteDe sol itant ert tresorierKar nul tresor n’vait plus cher.

The history of the adventures of Jumièges is literally true, as is Martin’s refusal to admit the Duke to the cloister:—

Dun ne t’a Deus mis e poséPrince gardain de sainte igliseE cur tenir leial justise.