for good. Not only the style of
architecture, but the very stone used in re-building St. Paul's came from
France, the famous quarries of Caen being utilised for the purpose.(93)

There was already in the city, one church built after the same manner, and
on that account called St. Mary of Arches or "le Bow." The object of
setting churches and other buildings upon vaults was to guard against
fire. Whatever defence against fire this method of building may have
afforded, it was certainly no defence against wind. In 1091, the roof of
St. Mary-le-Bow was clean blown off, huge baulks of timber, 26 feet long,
being driven into the ground with such force that scarce 4 feet of them
could be seen.(94)

(M65)

The reign of the new king was one of oppression. Nevertheless, he
continued to secure that protection for life and property which his father
had so successfully achieved, so that a man "who had confidence in
himself" and was "aught," could travel the length and breadth of the land
unhurt, "with his bosom full of gold."(95) He also had an eye for the
protection of the city, and the advancement of its commerce, surrounding
the Tower of London by a wall, and repairing the bridge which had been
nearly washed away by a flood.(96)

(M66)

On the 2nd August, 1100, the Red King met his death suddenly in the New
Forest, and the next day was buried at Winchester. According to a previous
agreement, the crown should have immediately devolved upon his brother
Robert. Crowns, however, were not to be thus disposed of; they fell only
to those ready and strong enough to seize them. Robert was far away on a
crusade. His younger brother Henry was on the spot, and upon him fell the
choice of such of the witan as happened to be in or near Winchester at the
time of the late king's death.(97)

(M67)

The two days that elapsed before his coronation at Westminster (5th
August), the king-elect spent in London, where by his easy and eloquent
manner, as well as by fair promises, he succeeded in winning the
inhabitants over to his cause, to the rejection of the claims of Robert.
The election, or perhaps we should rather say, the selection of Henry by
the witan at Winchester, was thus approved and confirmed by the whole
realm (_regni universitas_), in the city of London.

The choice was made however on one condition, viz.:--that Henry should
restore to his subjects their ancient liberties and customs enjoyed in the
days of Edward the Confessor.