object is to hinder a separation between the two kingdoms, as they are somewhat daringly called.[1] It is clear that to men who held lands in both countries it would be a gain to have only one lord instead of two; but, if we rightly understand the arguments which are put into the mouths of the speakers, it was held that, if England had again a king of her own, though it were a king of the Conqueror's house, the work of the Conquest would be undone. The men who had won England with their blood would be brought down from their dominion in the conquered island.[2] If they have two lords, there will be no hope of pleasing both; faithfulness to the one will only lead to vengeance on the part of the other.[3] William was young and insolent, and they owed him no duty. Robert was the eldest son; his ways were more tractable, and they had sworn to him during the life-time of his father. Let them then make a firm agreement to stand by one another, to kill or dethrone William, and to make Robert ruler of both lands.[4] Robert, we are told, approved of the scheme, and promised that he would give them vigorous help to carry it out.[5]*
- ↑ Ord. Vit. 665 D. "Optimates utriusque regni conveniunt, et de duobus regnis nunc divisis, quæ manus una pridem tenuerat, tractare satagunt." Cf. the language used at an earlier time about Normandy, N. C. vol. i. p. 221.
- ↑ Ib. 666 A. "Labor nobis ingens subito crevit, et maxima diminutio potentiæ nostræ opumque nobis incumbuit. . . . Violenta nobis orta est mutatio et nostræ sublimitatis repentina dejectio." It is now that he makes the flourish about "Saxones Angli" (see N. C. vol. i. p. 542); there is also a good deal about Jeroboam and Polyneikês.
- ↑ Ib. "Quomodo duobus dominis tam diversis, et tam longe ab invicem remotis competenter servire poterimus?"
- ↑ Ib. B, C. "Inviolabile fœdus firmiter ineamus, et Guillelmo rege dejecto vel interfecto, qui junior est et protervus, et cui nihil debemus, Robertum ducem, qui major natu est et tractabilior moribus, et cui jamdudum vivente patre amborum fidelitatem juravimus, principem Angliæ ac Neustriæ ad servandam unitatem utriusque regni constituamus."
- ↑ Ib. C. "Decretum suum Roberto duci detexuit. Ille vero, utpote levis
