The Chronicle of the Norman Conquest Part 17

Norm_, that the fief of Epiney vested in Roger de Saint-Sauveur.]

[Footnote 49: PORT, near Bayeux. Hugh and Robert de Port seem to have been at the conquest. Gilbert de Port is found in doc.u.ments soon after.

Hugh had the barony of Basing, in Hampshire, and his son Henry founded Shireburn. A.L.P. See _Introd. Dom._ i. 469. In the Bayeux inquest, 'feodum Henrici de Port feodum iii mil.' Enguerandus de Port is one of the jurors at this inquest.]

[Footnote 50: COURCY and JORT are in the arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of Falaise.

Robert de Courcy father of Richard who was at the conquest, was one of the sons of Baudry-le-Teuton. A.L.P. Richard de Courcy--Curci in Domesday--received the barony of Stoke in Somersetshire. See M.

Richome's notice in _Mem. Ant. Norm_. iii. 102. _Introd. Dom_. i.

403--412. In the Red book, 'Will, de Curceio 5 mil. de honore in Curseio, et ad servitium suum 33 mil. Idem de honore de Ascoiol et ad serv. suum 17 mil. et quart.']

[Footnote 51: REVIERES, arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of Caen. M. Le Prevost, in his notes, states this to be BALDWIN DE MEULES--near Orbec, arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of Lisieux--otherwise called 'de Moles,' 'de Sap,' or 'de Brionne,' 'of Exeter,' or 'Vicecomes;' brother of Richard de Bienfaite after mentioned. He never bore the name of Reviers or Redvers, which, however, the annotator a.s.sumes, was taken by his son Richard. See _Introd.

Domesday_, i. 377--473; also M. de Gerville in _Mem. Ant. Norm_. i. 273.

If however, as we believe, it is a mistake in _Dugdale_ and others to confound Richard de Reviers with Richard Fitz-Baldwin, (who died without issue) the 'sire de Reviers' is to be sought elsewhere.]

[Footnote 52: WILLIAM, lord of MOYEN, arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of St. Lo, where the scite of his castle is still visible. He and his descendants the Mohuns are known in English history. See M. de Gerville's _Recherches_, v. 210. _Introd. Dom_. i. 453; ii. 355. In the Red book, 'Willmus de Moyen 5 mil. et ad serv. suum xi.']

[Footnote 53: Three generations bearing the name of RAOUL TESSON rapidly succeeded during the conqueror's reign. Raoul I. we have seen at Valesdunes; Raoul II. is probably the one now before us. He married Matilda, cousin german of the duke. If, like his cousin Fitz-Erneis, he was killed at Hastings, that circ.u.mstance may account for his family not having formed establishments in England. A.L.P. The forest of Cinglais was one of the most celebrated in Normandy, and belonged to the honor of Tesson. There is also the castle of Roche-Tesson, in the arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of St. Lo. _Mem. Ant. Norm._ v. 187. _Gallia Christiana_, xi. app. 333.

In the Red book, 'Jorda.n.u.s Taisson 10 mil. de Treverio, et ad servitium suum 30 mil. et dim. Idem 5 mil. de honore Seti Salvatoris, et ad servitium suum, 5 mil. in Constant.']

[Footnote 54: See note on Fontenay in the next chapter.]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE ROLL OF THE NORMAN LORDS CONTINUED.

Next the company of Neel[1] rode Raol de Gael; he was himself a Breton, and led Bretons; he served for the land which he had, but he held it short time enough; for he forfeited it, as they say[2].

Avenals des Biarz[3] was there, and Paienals des Mostiers-Hubert[4]; and Robert Bertram, who was Tort (crooked)[5], but was very strong when on horseback, had with him a great force, and many men fell before him. The archers of Val de Roil[6], and those of Bretoil[7], put out the eyes of many an Englishman with their arrows. The men of Sole[8] and Oireval[9], and of St. Johan and Brehal[10], of Brius[11] and of Homez[12], were to be seen on that day, striking at close quarters, and holding their shields over their heads, so as to receive the blows of the hatchets.

All would rather have died than have failed their lawful lord.

And there were also present the lords of Saint-Sever[13] and Caillie[14], and the sire de Semillie[15], and Martels de Basquevile[16]; and near him the lords of Praels[17], of Goviz[18] and Sainteals[19], of Viez Molei[20], and Monceals[21]; and he who was sire de Pacie[22], and the seneschal de Corcie[23], and a chevalier de Lacie[24], with the lords de Gascie[25], d'Oillie[26], and de Sacie[27], and the sires de Vaacie[28], del Torneor and de Praeres[30], and Willame de Columbieres, and old Gilbert d'Asnieres[3l], de Chaignes, and de Tornieres[32], and old Hue de Bolebec[33], and Dam Richart, who held Orbec[34], and the sire de Bonnesboz[35], and the sires de Sap, and de Gloz[36] and he who then held Tregoz[37]; he killed two Englishmen; smiting the one through with his lance, and braining the other with his sword; and then galloped his horse back, so that no Englishman touched him.

And the sire de Monfichet[38] was there, leading a gallant party; and the ancestor of Hue li Bigot[39], who had lands at Maletot, and at Loges and Chanon, and served the duke in his house as one of his seneschals, which office he held in fee. He had with him a large troop, and was a n.o.ble va.s.sal. He was small of body, but very brave and bold, and a.s.saulted the English with his men gallantly.

And now might be heard the loud clang and cry of battle, and the clashing of lances. The English stood firm in their barricades, and shivered the lances, beating them into pieces with their bills and maces. The Normans drew their swords and hewed down the barricades, and the English in great trouble fell back upon their standard, where were collected the maimed and wounded.

Then the sire de la Haie[40] charged on, and neither spared nor pitied any; striking none whom he did not kill, and inflicting wounds such as none could cure.

The lords de Vitrie[41] and Urinie[42], de Moubrai[43] and Saie[44], and the sire de la Ferte[45], smote down many of the English, most of whom suffered grievously, and many of them were killed. Botevilain[46] and Trossebot[47] feared neither blow nor thrust, but heartily gave and took many on that day.

William Patric de la Lande[48] called aloud for king Harold, saying that if he could see him, he would appeal him of perjury. He had seen him at la Lande, and Harold had rested there on his way through, when he was taken to the duke, then at Avranches, on his road to Brittany. The duke made him a knight there, and gave him and his companions arms and garments, and sent him against the Bretons. Patric stood armed by the duke's side, and was much esteemed by him.

There were many knights of Chauz[49], who jousted and made attacks. The English knew not how to joust, nor bear arms on horseback, but fought with hatchets and bills. A man when he wanted to strike with one of their hatchets, was obliged to hold it with both his hands, and could not at the same time, as it seems to me, both cover himself and strike with any freedom[50].

The English fell back upon a rising ground, and the Normans followed them across the valley, attacking them on foot and horseback. Then Hue de Mortemer[51], with the sires d'Auviler[52], d'Onebac[53], and Saint-Cler[54], rode up and charged, overthrowing many.

Robert Fitz Erneis[55] fixed his lance, took his shield, and galloping towards the standard with his keen-edged sword, struck an Englishman who was in front, killed him, and then drawing back his sword, attacked many others, and pushed straight for the standard, trying to beat it down; but the English surrounded it, and killed him with their bills. He was found on the spot, when they afterwards sought for him, dead, and lying at the standard's foot.

Robert count of Moretoing[56] never went far from the duke. He was his brother on the mother's side, and brought him great aid. The sire de Herecort[57] was also there, riding a very swift horse, and gave all the help he could. The sires de Crievecoer[58], Driencort[59], and Briencort[60], also followed the duke wherever he moved. The sires de Combrai[61], and Alnei[62]; de Fontenei[63], Rebercil[64], and Molei[65] challenged Harold the king to come forth, and said to the English, "Stay! stay! where is your king? he that perjured himself to William? He is a dead man, if we find him."

Many other barons there were, whom I have not even named; for I cannot give an account of them all, nor can I tell of all the feats they did, for I would not be tedious. Neither can I give the names of all the barons, nor the surnames[66] of all whom the duke brought from Normandy and Brittany in his company. He had also many from Mans and Thouars; and Angevins and Poitevins; and men of Ponthieu and Bologne. He had also soldiers[67] from many lands, who came some for land and some for money.

Great was the host, and great the enterprize.

Duke William fought gallantly, throwing himself wherever the greatest press was, beating down many who found no rescue; so that it might easily be seen that the business in hand was his own. He who bore his gonfanon that day--Tostein[68], Fitz-Rou le blanc by name, born at Bec near Fescamp--was a brave and renowned knight. He bore the gonfanon boldly, high aloft in the breeze, and rode by the duke, going wherever he went.

Wherever the duke turned, he turned also, and wheresoever he stayed his course, there he rested also. And the duke fought where the greatest throng was, where he saw the most English, and wherever the Normans were attacking and slaughtering them. He also had around him a great company, vava.s.sors of Normandy, who to save their lord would have put their own bodies between him and the enemies' blows.

Alain Fergant[69], count of Brittany, lead a great company of Bretons, a bold and fierce people, who willingly go wherever booty is to be won.

They wounded and killed many; and few that they struck stood their ground. Alain Fergant himself fought like a n.o.ble and valiant knight, and led his Bretons on, doing great damage to the English.

The sire de St. Galeri[70], and the count d'Ou[71], and Roger de Montgomeri and dam Ameri de Toarz also demeaned themselves like brave men, and those whom their blows reached were ill handled.

[Footnote 1: NEEL; see former note on Neel de Saint Sauveur, whose 'company,' as viscount of the Cotentin, seems to be here referred to.]

[Footnote 2: RAOL DE GAEL, lord of Gael or Guader, and Montfort in Brittany, 'Ranols de Gader, le proz,' in _Benoit_. It does not appear that Raol commanded all the Bretons, if that be what Wace meant here to say. He is known in English history as Ralf earl of Norfolk, whose estates were forfeited for his treason in 1075. From _Domesday_ it would seem that both he and a former Ralf his father were earls under the Confessor; the father being repeatedly referred to in Norfolk as 'vetus comes,' the predecessor of 'comes Ralf Alius ejus,' and both holding lands in succession during Edward's reign. In one place we find 'Rex Edwardus dedit Radulfo comiti.' Was Ralf 'vetus comes' the same person as Ralf Stalra; can he have held the earldom of Norfolk when the G.o.dwins were in disgrace; and may not his son at his death have failed in succeeding to that earldom, and have then repaired to the continent, and joined William in order to recover his own English property? Ralf the elder no doubt married a Breton heiress; from whom her estates pa.s.sed to the son; an Englishman of Norfolk on the father's side, as described by the old historians, though also of Breton descent and estate. See _Introd. Domesday,_ i. 471; and Blomfield's _Norfolk_ repeatedly, as to the possessions of the two Ralfs.]

[Footnote 3: BIARZ, see last chapter, note 40. William Avenel, lord of Biarz, seems meant in both cases. The Avenels were seneschals to the counts of Mortain. A.L.P. See M. de Gerville, _Mem. Ant. Norm_. iv. 157.

In the Red book, 'Willus Avenel 5 mil. regi, et servitium 1 mil. de com.

Mort.']

[Footnote 4: This may be read either HUBERT PAISNEL, lord of MOSTIERS--or PAISNEL, lord of MOSTIERS-HUBERT; but the latter is more likely, [no Hubert Paisnel being known, and] the Paisnels having been lords of Mostiers-Hubert, in the arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of Lisieux. The scite of the castle there is still visible. _Ordericus Vitalis_ mentions William Paisnel as one of the great men who died about the same time as the conqueror. He was perhaps [brother or] father of Ralf Paisnel, Paganel, or Pagnell, sheriff of Yorkshire. A.L.P. See M. de Gerville, _Mem. Ant.

Norm._ ii. 280--308; _Introd. Domesday_, i. 464. In the Red book, 'Hugo Paganellus 5 mil. et ad servitium ejus 6 mil;' and 'In balliva de Pa.s.seis'--'Gervasius Paganellus 1 mil. et sibi 4 mil.']

[Footnote 5: ROBERT BERTRAM the tort or crooked, lord of Briquebec near Valognes;--as to the picturesque remains of whose castle see Mr. Cotman's and Mr. Wiffen's works: in the latter is a pedigree of this ill.u.s.trious family. Robert's brother William is also generally considered to have been at the conquest. A younger branch, from whom came the Mitfords, formed establishments, though not of much account, in England; it probably descended from this William; or from another William de Bertram who stands in _Domesday_ as a small holder in Hampshire; _Introd. Dom_.

i. 382. In the Red book Roll, 'Robertus Bertran 5 mil. ad servitium suum 34 et dim. in Constantin.']

[Footnote 6: LE VAUDREUIL, arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of Louviers.]

[Footnote 7: BRETEUIL, arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of Evreux.]

[Footnote 8: SOULES, arrondiss.e.m.e.nt of St. Lo. See M. de Gerville, _Mem.

Ant. Norm_. v. 260. In the Red book, 'Willus de Sola 1 mil. ad servitium suum 2 mil. de com. Mort.']

[Footnote 9: ORVAL, near Coutances. In the Red book, 'Willmus de Aureavalle 2 mil. et dim. et ad servitium suum 6 mil. in Constantin.'

See, as to this family and the next, the charters, and the genealogy (though apparently incorrect) in Dugdale's _Monasticon_, under the head of BOXGRAVE.]

[Footnote 10: SAINT JEAN, near Avranches, from which came the St. Jean who married the daughter of Robert de Haia. See note 40 below, and the _Recherches_ of M. de Gerville. BREHAL is between Coutances and Granville, and seems to have belonged to the Paisnels; M. de Gerville, _Mem. Ant. Norm_. ii. 278.]

[Footnote 11: The British Museum MS. changes the number of the p.r.o.noun, and reads _cil_ de BRIUS; not _cels_, as in the case of the three preceding names. M. Le Prevost considers Brieux--Broicae--three leagues from Falaise, to be intended. But this is doubtful. We are now clearly in the Cotentin; and Brix, near Valognes, (spelt Brus in John's Itinerary, _Archaeol_. xxiv, and Brucius, in the latin legend, mentioned by M. de Gerville on Portbail, and in _Mem. Ant. Norm_. v. 318), seems more appropriate to the connection. See M. de Gerville's _Recherches_, No. 9 and 10, as to Brix and chateau d'Adam. Moreover the next place mentioned is Hommet, and the family of that name had a fief in Brix.

There is strong probability in M. de Gerville's derivation thence of the Scotch Bruces, Adam being a common name with the Skelton line; but there were several names so nearly approaching in sound, though variously spelt in Latin, French, and English, that the subject may well be involved in some obscurity. Robertus de Bruis is in Domesday, _Introd_.

i. 387.]