888-912 numerous instances in which apparently trivial circumstances tighten the vagueness of chronicle 890-891 history. Upon Count Robert's request, Charlesle-Simple united Evreux Abbey to Saint-Germain-des-près, in order that the latter establishment might furnish subsistence to the despoiled Evreux monks. Dudon's relation is confirmed by diplomatic testimony; and the Royal charter confutes the gainsayers of the family history. The intensity of the devastations committed at Evreux has been evidenced by the discovery of the fire-destroyed ruins of the antient Carlovingian castle. All the circumjacent country shared the fate of the Cathedral city, and Rollo again harassed Paris.-Many districts purchased forbearance by a Danegelt, yet whole populations, encouraged to resistance, refused their tribute, and Rollo cruized to England. 892-893 Danes pe central § 10. Central France continued to attract netrate into the Danes. They repeatedly endeavoured to France. establish themselves in these provinces: had they ries on ope- succeeded, they might, like the Romans, have Eudes car rations against them. rendered this most defensible territory the nucleus of an Empire. Clermont is indicated as the scene of Rollo's exploits, without any particulars of date or time. If the Pagans failed to fortify themselves amidst Velay and Auvergne's volcanic fastnesses, or were prevented from establishing themselves permanently in the rich and teeming Limagne, this result was due to Eudes 891-893 Capet's valour and activity. Notwithstanding the 888-912 troubles occasioned by disloyal adherents south and north of the Loire, he still held his judicial circuits in Burgundia and Aquitania with the regularity of a Carlovingian King. Périgord and Angoulême and Puy-en-Velay witnessed his Grands-jours, when Eudes administered justice in person according to the forms of antient royalty. A soldier, raised to the throne by prowess, Eudes laboured to retain his well-deserved reputation. A favourite of the people in Aquitaine, most of the Aquitanian and southern chieftains, excepting the ambitious Count of Poitiers, again adhered to him, or refrained from opposing his authority. Troops joined King Eudes from Arles and from Orange, from Toulouse and from Nîmes. The Danes concentrated their forces in the river district of Auvergne, between Sioul and Allier. Eudes marshalled his troops at Brioude; invoking Saint Julian's protection, and laying his gifts upon the Altar, he marched onwards. The Danes were universally giving tokens of their intentions, seeking to convert their military occupancy into dominion, and, wherever they could, to establish a Danelaghe. besiege sier. Bat Consistently with this intent, they attempted The Danes to win the positions which would give them fast Montpenhold of the country; and the main body of their tle of the troops besieged Montpensier, so well known in Allier. 888-912 history as the future Orleans-appanage. The castle of Montpensier, now wholly demolished, 891-893 was situated upon a volcanic hill, and, there Murder of fore, from its situation between the rivers, the military key of the country. Here Eudes attacked the Pagans. The Capet encouraged his troops by his talent and valour: he reminded them how the Arverni of old had bravely defended their country against the Romans, earning the respect of their conquerors: why should not they equally signalize themselves against these foul and base barbarians? Such allusions were not displays of misplaced and paltry College erudition, prompted by frigid pedantry, but the utterances of real feeling. Rome lived around them; even now, the Auvergnat peasant points to the vast hill of Gergoye, and tells you how bravely the ramparts, lengthening along the sky-line, were defended against Cæsar. In the battle of the Allier the Danes were completely defeated, and Oskytel, their commander, the ravager of Croyland, captured.—Provided he would accept baptism, the victors promised to spare his life. Oskytel assented, but he was cruelly and basely slain by Ingo, the standardbearer of King Eudes, whilst he was emerging from the baptistery. Eudes did not instigate this hideous crime, yet he became an accomplice after the fact, not only pardoning the perpetrator, but bestowing upon him munificent rewards. "It is impossible to trust a Dane," replied Ingo, "and 888-912 therefore I slew him for the good of the country;" a plea of which the validity was admitted 891-893 by Ingo's royal master ;-read Saracen for Dane, and the like would have been done by many a preud-chevalier. tions in the the Gauls. § 11. North of the Loire the indefatigable TransacDanes were formidable to all parties: no mat- north of ter against whom they combated, Eudes or Arnolph. Hastings cheated Rodolph, the CountAbbot of Saint Vedast; and their cunning rendered them the more terrible. Very appropriate was their national ensign, the thicvish, rapacious, artful raven. Lotharingia became the chief scene of the present campaign. Sigfried and Godfrey, reinforced by the detachments from Britanny, renewed their spirited warfare. A great battle ensued near Trèves. The Germans were discomfited, and the Archbishop of Mayence slain. 891 Battle of Danes de Arnolph. Arnolph hastened from Baioaria: the Danish kings entrenched themselves nigh Louvaine. Louvaine, Protected in the rear by the river Dyle, they feated by selected this position as being best calculated for defence; but, contrary to their calculations, the defence proved their destruction. A marked improvement in the German tactics dates from Arnolph he had raised an efficient body of heavy-armed cavalry, the first appearance of such a force in mediæval annals. The Northmen, borne down by the German squadrons, fled: more 891-893 888-912 perished in the sluggish insidious stream than by spear or sword; and sixteen raven-banners were the victor's trophies. The slaughtered Pagans were reckoned by thousands, and the Germans reported that only one single Christian was killed. Arnolph, like an old Roman Emperor, held an allocution on the battle-field, solemn services were sung, and Arnolph acquired immense renown; yet there did not seem to be a Dane the less in the country. The Northmen occupied Louvaine as long as they thought fit, evacuated Lotharingia when it suited their convenience, and remained in great power about Amiens. All successes gained by the Franks or Germans were countervailed by the general unsteadiness, levity and faithlessness of chieftains and people. Eudes marched from Aquitaine to improve the advantages Arnolph gained; but the nobles of Belgic Gaul determined to desert him. Whilst in the Vermandois territory, Eudes was in peril of being surprised by the Danes: the Vermandois levies, on whom he relied unsuspiciously, either neglected their duty or betrayed him. Baudouinle-Chauve quarrels with Eudes. A particular feud accelerated the impending Revolution. The great Abbeys were the capital prizes. Much difficulty attends the investigation of their history: the ecclesiastical historians, both antient and modern, ashamed of the abusive system which virtually rendered them lay-fees, try to conceal the transactions as far as possible. |