charter, wherein he promised to renew the laws of Edward the Confessor, and to govern with more wisdom, justice, and kindness than the last king. He also married an English princess, the niece of 1 Edgar the Atheling. These things made Henry so 2 popular with the English that Robert would not risk a battle with him, and agreed to let him keep the crown. Five years later the Conqueror's youngest son again showed himself stronger and cleverer than the eldest, for Henry invaded Normandy, defeated Robert, and took the 3 duchy to himself. Like his father, Henry was a firm and skilful ruler. A writer of the time says, "Great was the awe of him in his day; folk durst not ill-treat each other; he made peace for man and deer." To keep down the power of the barons he sent the justices of his royal court on visits into every county. These visits grew in course of years into the regular circuits of judges which we have now. While Henry was busy with his plans for improving the laws a great sorrow fell upon him. His only son, Prince William, one of his daughters, several other relatives, and a large number of nobles were returning from Normandy in the White Ship, a 5 galley of fifty oars. The prince had ordered so much wine to be given to the sailors that none of them were quite sober. Careless and excited they rowed with all their might, but did not keep a sharp look-out. As the vessel was speeding through the water she struck with fearful force upon a rock and began at once to fill. A boat was lowered and the prince was escaping when he heard the shrieks of his sister who had been left behind. He bade the rowers put back for her, but after they did so such numbers leaped into the boat that it went down. Of the three hundred persons who, full of noisy mirth, had set out on board the fated ship all save one perished. When the king heard the dreadful news he fell upon the floor insensible. His whole life was saddened by the loss of his children; he never smiled again. 1 Edgar Atheling. See page 62. See also Genealogical Table, page 181. Atheling means prince. 2 popular, liked by the people. 3 duchy, the lands of a duke. 4 circuit, journey of a judge from county to county to try cases. galley, a low vessel moved by oars and sails. 5 HE NEVER SMILED AGAIN. tour'-ney state'-ly reck'-less THE bark that held a prince went down, And what was England's glorious crown He lived-for life may long be borne Ere sorrow break its chain;— fest'-al Why comes not death to those who mourn? There stood proud forms around his throne, But which could fill the place of one, That one beneath the wave? Before him passed the young and fair But seas dashed o'er his son's bright hair— He sat where 3 festal 4 bowls went round,' He heard the minstrel sing; He saw the tourney's victor crowned A murmur of the restless deep Was blent with every strain, A voice of winds that would not sleep- Hearts, in that time, closed o'er the trace And strangers took the kinsman's place Graves, which true love had bathed with tears, Fresh hopes were born for other years— He never smiled again! Mrs. Hemans. 1 Stately, grand, holding high rank. 2 reckless, heedless, without care. 3 festal, belonging to a feast. 4 bowls of wine. 5 tourney, tournament, a sham fight between knights on horses. blent, blended, mixed. HENRY I. wished his daughter Matilda to reign after him, and three times got the barons to swear that they would have her for queen, but many of them forgot their oaths, and sided with the Conqueror's grandson, 1 Stephen, Count of 2 Boulogne, who seized the crown. 1 Stephen at his 3 coronation promised to keep the laws, and maintain good order in the land. "These and other things beside," says an old writer, "he vowed to God, but he fulfilled none of them." The new king had some fine qualities-he was brave, 5 generous, and good-tempered-but he was weak of will, and hence the years of his reign were a time of deepest misery. The nobles would have been too strong for him had there been no dispute about the crown. But there was a dispute: Matilda (who was married to Geoffrey, Count of Anjou) claimed the kingdom, and made war upon Stephen. Some of the barons took one side and some another. Fighting went on for Once the king many years, with varying success. was taken prisoner, and once Matilda's brother. Another time Matilda herself was besieged in Oxford. She was anxious to escape, but could not pass through the ranks of her enemies. However, on a certain evening when snow was lying thick upon the ground, she and some of her followers dressed themselves in white, and thus managed to get away. Had Stephen tried to keep the barons in order BOOK II. F |