PREFACE. NATHAN BEN SADDI, a servant of God, of the house of Israel, to all and every of his readers, whether Jew or Gentile, greeting. Notwithstanding that many have taken in hand write the History of England, it seemed good unto me also, most excellent reader, to set forth in order some things that have happened since the conquest of William the Norman. Now this I have chosen to do in the manner of our forefathers, the ancient Jewish historians, as being not only the most concise, but most venerable way of writing. Howbeit, I would not that thou shouldest be offended, or take in evil part, that I have adventured to imitate those sublime originals; neither let it enter into thine heart, that I have done this thing in sport, or wantonness of wit; for verily I abound not therewith, as thou wilt undoubtedly perceive. Nevertheless, in perusing this delectable history, thou wilt meet with abundant matter both for information and amusement, and peradventure also for instruction. And it shall come to pass when thou readest of the foolish kings that have ruled the land, then shall thy soul be troubled, and thou shalt say within thyself, How small a portion of sense sufficeth to govern a great kingdom! But when thou readest of the kings that were wise and great, then shall thy heart be glad, and thou shalt compare the passed times with the present, and rejoice therein, and laugh exceedingly. Moreover thou wilt find, that the end of the first was bitterness and shame, but the end of the last was glory and honour: These shall be set up as a light unto kings in all ages, but those as a warning from generation to generation. THE CHRONICLE OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND. 1.-WILLIAM the Conqueror. Now it came to pass, in the year one thousand sixty and six, in the month of September, on the eighth day of the month, that William of Normandy, surnamed the Bastard, landed in England, and pitched his tent in a field near the town of Hastings. Then Harold the king, attended by all his nobles, came forth to meet him with a numerous army, and gave him battle. Now it came to pass in the year one thousand sixty and six.] The historian care. fully fixes the time of this memorable epoch in English history. The news of William's immense preparations had spread throughout Europe: his fame as a warrior, the great talents he had displayed in subduing the rebellious spirit of his own subjects, and in his war with the king of France, attracted to his standard adventurers from all parts, who were ambitious to seek renown under such a distinguished leader. From the prodigious numbers who flocked from all quarters, William selected an army of 60,000 brave and experienced veterans. Among the bold chieftains who engaged under his banner, and to whom he held up the spoils of England as the reward of their valour, we find the celebrated names of Eustace Count of Boulogne, Hugh d'Estaples, William d'Evereux, Roger de Montgomery, Charles Martel, and Geoffrey Giffard. The preparations being completed, William embarked his troops on 3000 vessels, assembled in the small river Dive, and set sail; having first received from the Pope his benediction, a consecrated banner, and a ring with one of St. Peter's hairs in it, to protect him in his undertaking. Then Harold the king.] The rightful heir to the throne, in the Saxon line, was Edgar Atheling; but the pretensions of this weak and incapable prince were set aside to make way for Harold, the son of Earl Godwin, whose great talents, his bravery, affable and generous disposition, had gained the hearts of both the nobles and the people. Harold was stigmatized by William as a perjured usurper; but the truth is, his title was as valid as the title of many of his predecessors: for under the Saxons the succession to the crown was by no means hereditary; it was sometimes conferred by the suffrages of the people in their Wittenagemot; sometimes it was a testamentary grant from the preceding king; and not unfrequently, as was partly the case in the present instance, the reward of the personal qualities and successful intrigues of adventurers. |