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