912-927 man talent," or "Norman taste," or Norman art, 888-912 are expressions intelligible and definite, conveying clear ideas, substantially true and yet substantially inaccurate. What, for example, do we intend when we speak of Norman architecture?— Who taught the Norman architect? Ask, when you contemplate the structures raised by Lanfranc or Anselm—will not the reply conduct you beyond the Alps, and lead you to Pavia or Aosta? the cities where these fathers of the Anglo-Norman Church were nurtured, their learning acquired or their taste informed. Amongst the eminent men who gloriously adorn the AngloNorman annals, perhaps the smallest number derive their origin from Normandy. Discernment in the choice of talent, and munificence in rewarding ability, may be truly ascribed to Rollo's successors: openhanded, openhearted, not indifferent to birth or lineage, but never allowing station or origin, nation or language, to obstruct the elevation of those whose talent, learning, knowledge or aptitude, gave them their patent of nobility. paration sella. § 30. Rollo's marriage, so anxiously promoted, Rollo's seproduced those disappointments which any ex- from Gicept statesmen could have foreseen, or which statesmen do foresee and do not regard. Grim wrinkled Rollo-three-score and upwards when he married her-never lived as a husband with blooming Gisella; and yet the unjoyful bond was VOL. I. Ꮓ Ꮓ 912-927 888-912 attended with all the discomforts of love and jealousy. Two Knights were despatched by king Charles to his daughter. The Frenchmen gave no notice to the "venerable Patrician" of their arrival, and lodged themselves in Rouen, neglecting or avoiding all opportunities of coming before him. Information was brought to Rollo concerning these questionable emissaries; and the news was so conveyed as to encrease any suspicions which might naturally arise. The knights concealed themselves in Gisella's mansion, were searched for, found, and by Rollo's orders beheaded in the market-place :-and this, except a parenthetical notice of her death, is the last we hear about Gisella. Rollo's children: training of his son, Guillaume Longueépée. No children of Rollo are known, excepting careful those two whom he had by the Vermandois damsel, a son, Guillaume, and Gerloc, otherwise the Adela, a daughter. He returned to his bonne-amie, some say he married her according to the rites of the Church, when delivered from Gisella. Rollo's inclination and policy equally concurred in inducing him to rear his boy in such a manner, as to render the future Duke of Normandy a fit companion for the Princes of the Carlovingian Empire. Wise and faithful Botho, now one of the Counts of the Palace, was appointed the child's governor; but he equally continued under his mother's care: he was taught to pride himself upon her illustrious 912-927 French descent. The clergy trained him in sound 888-912 learning: the boy loved their society, their teaching, their life; his earliest, childish wish, was to enter a monastery, and he yearned for the solitude of Jumièges, the cell amidst the ruins. Gay, cheerful and generous, the personal performance of the works of mercy always constituted the relaxations of Guillaume Longue-épée. herited by of Rollo. Bright and varied natural gifts were inhe- Talent inrited by Rollo's descendants, adaptability, vigour, the race cleverness in every sense, conspicuous even amongst those who tarnished their character by vice and profligacy. They flourished during an era when the mental cultivation of the superior classes of society was sedulously pursued: the best got the best, and they profited thereby. Noble and Royal families carefully kept themselves up to the highest standard. Had Rollo chosen to despise the clergie of his age, and to bring up Guillaume as a mere rough soldier, a half-tamed Berserker, Guillaume's sons and sons' sons might have grown up untaught. But the need of a sound education was transmitted to the Dukes of Normandy and Kings of England as a family doctrine: so long as Rollo's race subsisted, so long may we discern their inherent as well as their acquired talents, conflicting with their vices and failings, and obeying or surmounting the temptations to which royalty and power are exposed. Ꮓ Ꮓ ? 888-912 887-899 Arnolph Germany ror. (See p. 630.) § 31. In the year when the compact of Saint Clair-sur-Epte was concluded with Rollo, a great revolution was consummated in Germany. The institutions of Charlemagne were completely suband Empe verted, and political changes ensued which had an important influence upon the fortunes of France as well as of the "terra Normannorum," soon to become Normandy, an integral portion of the French monarchy, and yet a rival. After the battle of Louvaine, Arnolph continued to advance in renown and power, the talent of the statesman being supported by the military organization which the extensive employment of heavy cavalry afforded. Arnolph destroyed the preponderance of the Moravian Slavi, and checked the progress of the Magyars. Some accuse him of having invited them, but at all events his force or policy rescued his dominions from their inroads. The German nations persevered in their willing allegiance, but Arnolph's dominion was incomplete and unsatisfactory unless he could reign in the capital of Christendom. Two successive expeditions crossed the Alps, the first directed against Guido, Berengarius aiding Arnolph. The German king treated the Italians as rebels; and Count Ambrosio, who had stoutly defended the lofty rock of Bergamo, the Insubrian Pergamum, being taken, was hanged before the walls of the city. Such an execution of a Noble was unparalleled. The second expedition was directed against 892 Berengarius, his late ally.-All yielded to Arnolph: 888-912 the conqueror entered Rome in triumph. The Roman Senate and Clergy came forth to meet him with standard and banner. The Pontiff Formosus received him on the gradins of St. Peter's Basilica. The imperial consecration was bestowed more majorum, Arnolph was hailed as Cæsar and Augustus, and the Roman people took the oath of fealty to their Sovereign. But after Arnolph had quitted Italy, threatening insurrections arose. Arnolph was troubled on every side. His Consort Uta was accused of adultery. She cleared herself by compurgation. Seventy-two witnesses swore to her innocence; but Arnolph's spirit was entirely broken. He died strangely: witchcraft and poison, are said to have been employed against him. 899. wig-dasKind" suc ceeds him. Painful mystery attends his end. The miser- Arnolph's able death of Charles-le-Gros was avenged upon strange his his perjured betrayer; and men scarcely dared to son "Ludwhisper that Arnolph sunk under the most horrible bodily affliction with which our nature can be visited-tormented and exhausted by swarming vermin. Arnolph left two children, the illegitimate Zwentibold, who became king of Lotharingia, and Ludwig das Kind. Hardly anything is known concerning the events which occurred of the Carduring the "child's" nominal reign, excepting line in Gerthe dreadful invasion of the Magyars and the the person bloody Babbenberg feud; alone sufficient to have wig-das 911. Extinction lovingian many in of Kind." |