and practical usefulness.

CONTENTS.

Chapter Page

I. NORMANDY 13

II. BIRTH OF WILLIAM 31

III. THE ACCESSION 51

IV. WILLIAM'S REIGN IN NORMANDY 72

V. THE MARRIAGE 96

VI. THE LADY EMMA 119

VII. KING HAROLD 142

VIII. PREPARATIONS FOR THE INVASION 164

IX. CROSSING THE CHANNEL 189

X. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS 212

XI. PRINCE ROBERT'S REBELLION 242

XII. THE CONCLUSION 265

ENGRAVINGS.

Page

MAP--THE SITUATION OF NORMANDY 14

WILLIAM AND ARLOTTE 40

WILLIAM'S ESCAPE 77

THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY 102

THE RESCUE 127

HAROLD'S INTERVIEW WITH EDWARD 147

WILLIAM RECEIVING TOSTIG'S TIDINGS 166

MAP--NORMANDY 190

THE NORWEGIANS AT SCARBOROUGH 218

WILLIAM'S HORSE STEPPING ON THE EMBERS 281

WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR.

CHAPTER I.

NORMANDY.

A.D. 870-912

The Norman Conquest.--Claim of William to the throne.--The right of the
strongest.--Map of Normandy.--The English Channel.--Nature of the French
coast.--Nature of the English coast.--Northmen and Danes.--Character
of the Northmen.--Their descendants.--The Dukes of Normandy.--The
first duke, Rollo.--History of Rollo.--His rendezvous on the Scottish
coast.--Expedition of Rollo.--His descent upon Flanders.--Difficulties
encountered.--Rollo passes the Straits of Dover.--Charles the
Simple.--Defeated by Rollo.--Treaty of peace.--Its conditions.--The
three ceremonies.--Rollo's pride.--Kissing the king's foot.--The baptism
and marriage.--Rollo's peaceful and prosperous reign.--Description
of Normandy.--Scenery.--Hamlets.-