faithful,” said William, “if they come to me to speak of the Christian faith and religion; but if a monk of my Estates permit himself a single word beyond his place, I will have him hanged by his cowl from the highest oak of the nearest forest.”  When, in 1000, he denounced to Pope Alexander II. the perjury of Harold, asking him at the same time to do him justice, he made no scruple about promising that, if the Pope authorized him to right himself by war, he would bring back the kingdom of England to obedience to the Holy See.  He had Lanfranc for his negotiator with the court of Rome, and Pope Alexander II. had for chief counsellor the celebrated monk Hildebrand, who was destined to succeed him under the name of Gregory VII.  The opportunity of extending the empire of the Church was too tempting to be spurned, and her future head too bold not to seize it whatever might be the uncertainty and danger of the issue; and in spite of hesitation on the part of some of the Pope’s advisers, the question was promptly decided in accordance with William’s demand.  Harold and his adherents were excommunicated, and, on committing his bull to the hands of William’s messenger, the Pope added a banner of the Roman Church and a ring containing, it is said, a hair of St. Peter set in a diamond.

The Estates of Normandy were less easy to manage.  William called them together at Lillebonne; and several of his vassals showed a zealous readiness to furnish him with vessels and victual and to follow him beyond the sea, but others declared that they were not bound to any such service, and that they would not lend themselves to it; they had calls enough already, and had nothing more to spare.  William Fitz-Osbern scouted these objections.  “He is your lord, and hath need of you,” said he to the recalcitrants; “you ought to offer yourselves to him, and not wait to be asked.  If he succeed in his purpose, you will be more powerful as well as he; if you fail him, and he succeed without you, he will remember it:  show that you love him, and what ye do, do with a good grace.”  The discussion was keen.  Many persisted in saying, “True, he is our lord; but if we pay him his rents, that should suffice:  we are not bound to go and serve beyond the seas; we are already much burdened for his wars.”  It was at last agreed that Fitz-Osbern should give the duke the assembly’s reply; for he knew well, they said, the ability of each.  “If ye mind not to do what I shall say,” said Fitz-Osbern, “charge me not therewith.”  “We will be bound by it, and will do it,” was the cry amidst general confusion.  They repaired to the duke’s presence.  “My lord,” said Fitz-Osbern, “I trow that there be not in the whole world such folk as these.  You know the trouble and labor they have already undergone in supporting your rights; and they are minded to do still more, and serve you at all points, this side the sea and t’other.  Go you before, and they will follow you; and spare them in nothing.  As for