Chapter XIII

THE NEGOTIATIONS OF DUKE WILLIAM.
January–August, 1066.

Position of William at Eadward’s death 255

Effect on his schemes of Harold’s sudden election 256

§ 1. _The Negotiations between William and Harold._

The news brought to William; his dialogue with
William Fitz-Osbern 256–259

January William’s Embassy to Harold; its object; its
15? 1066 possible connexion with the Northumbrian
discontents 259–262

Constitutional language attributed to Harold 262–265

William’s point gained in the Embassy 265

§ 2. _Claims and Arguments of William._

No hope for William but in war; no English party
in his favour 266

Difficulties of the enterprise; comparison with
the Norman exploits in Apulia 267–268

William’s appeal to his own Duchy; influence of
Lanfranc; religious character given to the
enterprise 268–272

No right of any kind in William; Harold’s oath
irrelevant to the question 272–273

Bearing of William’s appeal to public opinion and
to the Papacy 273–274

Fair colouring put on a bad cause 274–275

Harold’s claim unintelligible on the Continent 275–276

William’s claim adapted to continental opinion 276–279

Wrong done to the Norman saints; forestalling of
the crusading spirit 280

General character of William’s case; various
motives appealed to; Norman grudge against
England 281–283

Charges against the English Church; William
outwitted by Hildebrand 284–286

§ 3. _The Norman Council and the Assembly of Lillebonne._

1066 William consults a select Council 286–288

Its members pledge their own services, but
recommend the calling of a larger assembly 288

The Assembly of Lillebonne; its constitution 289–290

Position and history of Lillebonne 290–292

Parliamentary spirit of the Assembly; strong
opposition to the enterprise 292–295

Attempt of William Fitz-Osbern to cajole the
Assembly; his speech to William; his offers
disowned by the Barons 295–297

No vote passed, but the Barons severally won
over by William 297–299

§ 4. _William’s Alliance with Tostig._

William’s supporters in England to be found only
among the Norman settlers 299

Position of Tostig; his alliance with William 300–303

May, 1066 He attacks England with William’s consent 304

§ 5. _William’s Negotiations with Foreign Powers._

William invites volunteers from all parts 305

The Conquest not a national Norman enterprise, but
a Norman character impressed on the whole 305–306

The foreign troops mainly adventurers; few foreign
princes served 306

William’s embassies to foreign powers; he sends
to King Henry of Germany 306–307

1056–1066 Condition of the Empire in the early days of Henry
the Fourth; comparison of his minority with that
of William 307–308

No mention of the Norman embassy in German writers;
probable state of the case 308–309

Alleged embassy to Swend of Denmark 309–310

Embassy to Philip of France; William offers to hold
England of him 310–311

Negotiations with Baldwin of Flanders 312

Zeal of Eustace of Boulogne; Arnold of Ardres 312–313

Great number of Breton auxiliaries; Alan Fergant 313–314

1066 Volunteers from Anjou, &c.; state of Anjou; war
between Geoffrey and Fulk 314–315

1066 War of Conan of Britanny against Anjou; legend of
his death 315–316

William charged with the death of Conan 316

1061–1073 Negotiations with Rome; Papacy of Alexander the
Second; influence of Hildebrand 317

William’s embassy; debate in the Conclave and
strong opposition 317–319

Decision in favour of William; bull and gifts of
Alexander 320–321

Complete success of William’s diplomacy 321–322

Summary 322