[1] It has already been shown that Norman, Saxon, and Dane were originally branches of the Teutonic or German race. (SS36, 62). [2] Professor E. A. Freeman, who is the highest authority on this subject (see especially his “Short History of the Norman Conquest"), holds the view that the coming of William was, on the whole, the greatest advantage to England.  Nearly all leading historians agree with him; for a different view consult Professor C. Oman’s “England before the Norman Conquest,” pp. 648-651.

William Rufus[3]—­1087-1100

[3] William Rufus:  William the Red, a nickname probably derived from his red face.

127.  William the Conqueror’s Bequest (1087).

William the Conqueror left three sons,—­Robert, William Rufus, and Henry.  He also left a daughter, Adela, who married a powerful French nobleman, Stephen, Count of Blois.  On his deathbed (S124) William bequeathed Normandy to Robert.  He expressed a wish that William Rufus should become ruler over England, while to Henry he left five thousand pounds of silver, with the prediction that he would ultimately be the greatest of them all.

Before his eyes were closed, the two sons, who were with him, hurried away,—­William Rufus to seize the realm of England, Henry to get possession of his treasure.  Robert was not present.  His recent rebellion (S124) would alone have been sufficient reason for alloting to him the lesser portion; but even had he deserved the scepter, William knew it required a firmer hand than his to hold it.

128.  Condition of England.

France was simple an aggregation of independent and mutually hostile dukedoms.  The ambition of the Norman leaders threatened to bring England into the same condition.  During the twenty-one years of William the Conqueror’s reign, the Norman barons on the Continent had constantly tried to break loose from his restraining power.  It was certain, then, that the news of his death would be the signal for still more desperate attempts.

129.  Character of William Rufus.

Rufus had his father’s ability and resolution, but none of his father’s conscience.  As the historian of that time declared, “he feared God but little, man not at all.”  He had Caesar’s faith in destiny, and said to a boatman who hesitated to set off with him in a storm at his command, “Did you ever hear of a king’s being drowned?”

130.  His Struggle with the Barons.

The barons broke the solemn oath which they had taken in the previous reign (S122) to be faithful to the Crown.  During the greater part of the thirteen years of the new King’s reign they were fighting against him.  On William’s part it was a battle of centralization against disintegration.  He rallied the country people to his help—­those who fought with bows and spears.  “Let every man,” said the King, “who would not be branded infamous and a coward, whether he live in town or country, leave everything and come to me” (S85).