n
attempt at open rebellion in which Robert attacked the Castle of
Rouen, with the help of a few turbulent young nobles of his own
unquiet persuasion. But the Conqueror grimly took their revenues and
with them paid the mercenaries that warred them down. His son was
compelled to fly, but came back again unwisely to the quarrel, with
help from the French King behind him. At Gerberoi he actually wounded
his father, without recognising him, and the Conqueror was only saved
by the swiftness of a Wallingford man who sprang to his assistance.

[Footnote 18: This was the prince who, according to Orderic Vital
(Hist. Eccl. vii.) introduced the long turned-up boots called
"pigaces" which were one sign of effeminacy among the dandies of the
Red King's Court, where men wore long hair, shaved off in front, wide
sleeves, and the narrow and flowing robes which were a very
characteristic change from the short tunic of the Conqueror's men,
which permitted them to run or ride, or fight in freedom.]

The truce that followed did not last. About this time occurred the
marriage of William's daughter, Adela, to Stephen of Blois and
Chartres, who became the mother of Stephen of England. The Conqueror's
second son had died in the fatal New Forest, and in 1083 died his
faithful wife, Matilda, and was buried at Caen. The next years were
very heavy in both parts of King William's dominions, and by 1087 the
strain seems to have told even upon his iron frame. For in that year
he stayed for treatment at Rouen, just as he had done before in
Abingdon, and while he lay in bed King Philip jested at the candles
that should be lighted when this bulky invalid arose from child-bed.
Then William swore one of those terrific oaths which came naturally to
his strong temperament--"Per resurrectionem et splendorem Dei
pronuntians"--that he would indeed light a hundred thousand candles,
and at the expense of Philip, too.[19] In August he devastated the
Vexin with fire and sword, and as he rode across the hot embers of
the burning city of Mantes, his horse stumbled, and he was wounded
mortally by the high, iron pommel of the saddle.

[Footnote 19:

"Qant jo, dist-il, releverai
Dedeiz sa terre a messe irai
Riche offrende li porterai
Mille chandeles li ofrerai."

ROBERT WACE, _ib._]

He came back dying to his castle of Rouen, and was there borne from
the noisy streets of the city to the Priory of St. Gervais, where we
have already vi