Character of his influence with Rufus and Henry.
His sons. Jerusalem, was deemed, like that of Ahithophel, to be like the oracle of God.[1] His counsels were not always of an amiable kind. Under Rufus, without, as far as we can see, sharing in his crimes, he checked those chivalrous instincts which were the King's nearest approach to virtue.[2] Under Henry his influence was used to hinder the promotion of Englishmen in their own land.[3] Yet on the whole his character stands fair. He discouraged foppery and extravagance by precept and example; he was the right-hand man of King Henry in maintaining the peace of the land, and he seems to have shared the higher tastes of the clerkly monarch.[4] Of Anselm he was sometimes the enemy, sometimes the friend.[5] His sons were well taught, and they could win the admiration of Pope and cardinals by their skill in disputation.[6] The eldest, Waleran, his Norman heir, plays an unlucky part in the reign of Henry;[7] his English heir Robert con-*ætate summo provectu effloruit, habebaturque ejus consilium quasi quis divinum consuluisset sacrarium." So Hen. Hunt. de Cont. Mund. 7. "Fuit Robertus consul de Mellend in rebus secularibus sapientissimus omnium hinc usque in Jerusalem degentium."]
- ↑ Will. Malms. v. 407. "Cum superiorum regum tempore, spe sensim pullulante, in gloriam procederet, hujus [Henrici
- ↑ We shall see this presently in the story of Helias. See Ord. Vit. 773 B.
- ↑ See N. C. vol. v. p. 828.
- ↑ Hen. Hunt. u. s. "Fuit scientia clarus, eloquio blandus, astutia perspicax, providentia sagax, ingenio versipellis, prudentia insuperabilis, consilio profundus, sapientia magnus." A goodly string of synonyms. William of Malmesbury (u. s.) gives more details. He was "suasor concordiæ, dissuasor discordiæ," "in placitis propugnator justitiæ, in guerris provisor victoriæ, dominum regem ad severitatem legum custodiendam exacuens, ipse non eas sequens sed proponens, expers in regem perfidiæ, in ceteros ejus persecutor." He was "ingentis in Anglia momenti, ut inveteratum vestiendi vel comedendi exemplo suo inverteret morem." He brought in the consuetudo semel prandendi," contrary to the custom of Harthacnut.
- ↑ We shall see him in both characters as we go on. See Appendix Y. He stood firmly by the King in the matter of investiture. See Will. Malms. v. 417.
- ↑ Will. Malms. v. 406. This was when Pope Calixtus came into Normandy in 1110. See N. C. vol. v. p. 191.
- ↑ See N. C. vol. v. pp. 197, 207, 288.
