Page:The reign of William Rufus and the accession of Henry the First.djvu/20

 He makes the converted Jews turn back; story of the convert Stephen     162-165

William's defiance of God and the saints; frequency of blasphemy     165-167

Redeeming features in Rufus; little personal cruelty; respect for his father's memory     167-169

His chivalrous spirit; his word when kept; and when broken     169-171

Chivalry a new thing; William Rufus marks the beginning of a new æra     169-171

Illustrations of the chivalrous character     171-174

Grouping of events in the reign of Rufus     174

CHAPTER III.

THE FIRST WARS OF WILLIAM RUFUS.

1090-1092.

Character of the year 1089; natural phænomena     175-176

August 11, The great earthquake     176 1089

Character of the year 1090; beginnings of foreign adventure and domestic oppression     177

The years 1090-1091; affairs of Normandy, Scotland, and Cumberland     177

Connexion of English and Norman history; the same main actors in both     177

Contrast between England and Normandy as to private war     178

The old and the new generation     179

History of Robert of Bellême     179-181

His character; his engineering skill; his special and wanton cruelty     181-183

His enmity towards Helias, Abbot Ralph, and others     183-184

1110 His final imprisonment by Henry     184

History and character of Robert Count of Meulan and Earl of Leicester     184-187

His fame for wisdom and influence with Rufus and Henry     185-186

1118 Story of his death-bed     187

§ 1. ''Normandy under Robert. 1087-1090.''

State of Normandy; interest of those who held lands in both countries     188-189

Temptations to invasion     188-189