‚J
WILLIAM I.
‚estify by oath their belief in his innocence. Those who thus swore
were styled *‘ Compurgators,” and the system itself was called ‘* Com-
purgation.” "The second method, termed “ Ordeal,” was never used
5xcept when the first had failed. It was supposed to be an direct
appeal to God, "The person accused was required to plunge his arın in
boiling water, or to carry red-hot iron in his naked hand. If the in-
jured member were not henled within a specified time, guilt was sup-
posed to have been clearly proved. Christianity did much, at first to
modify, and eventually to remove, these imperfect and cruel systems.
7. "Che early English were a people “given to hospitality,” exces-
sively fond of ‘““gond cheer,” and sometimes indulging
Habits Of yon in gluttony and drunkenness. In matters of food
the early . . 5
English. and drink they desired abundance rather than delicacy.
They had none of the Norman taste for fine houses and
stately castles. The dwellings even of the wealthier thanes were plain,
while those of the lower classes were squalid and uncomfortable, Out-
door sports received much attention. "The early English were honor-
ably distinguished for their love of nıusic and poetry; nor did any other
nation of the time excel them in the development of a native literature.
8, Great changes took place between the landing of the Jutes
and the Norman Conquest, Descriptions are sometimes
General given, which, while true as applied to the barbarous
progress of 6 ya x
eivilization. PABans that originally conquered Britain, do great in-
justice to the comparatively civilized people whom
William and his barons found upon our shores,
CHAPTER X.
THE NORMAN LINE.--WILLIAM I
1066 to 1087 A.D.
i. William, though known in English history as the Conqueror,
claimed the throne of England as lawful heir of Edward
Claim t0 £he Confessor. In this view, he took up arms, not to
ihe throN®, in a crown by conquest, but to maintain a title justly
his. But as we have already seen, the succession belonged to tho
Norman Duke neoither by natural right nor by English law. He was
p foreigner, while Harold, whom he defented and slew, was an English-
man of noble birth, duly chosen by the highest national authority
rs sd the childless Confessor,
2. Dh Conqueror united with great military skill uncommon
lm oolitienl sayacıty and foresight. He was not wantonly
eruel, and his adınirers elain:;ed that he never shed blood
eharrcter. . . ; x -
unnecessurily. In his own province of Normandy, his
1. 1. onid to have been wild as well as wise, Still, he was ambitious:
