eft a daughter, Adela, who married a powerful French
nobleman, Stephen, Count of Blois. On his deathbed (S124) William
bequeathed Normandy to Robert. He expressed a wish that William Rufus
should become ruler over England, while to Henry he left five thousand
pounds of silver, with the prediction that he would ultimately be the
greatest of them all.

Before his eyes were closed, the two sons, who were with him, hurried
away,--William Rufus to seize the realm of England, Henry to get
possession of his treasure. Robert was not present. His recent
rebellion (S124) would alone have been sufficient reason for alloting
to him the lesser portion; but even had he deserved the scepter,
William knew it required a firmer hand than his to hold it.

128. Condition of England.

France was simple an aggregation of independent and mutually hostile
dukedoms. The ambition of the Norman leaders threatened to bring
England into the same condition. During the twenty-one years of
William the Conqueror's reign, the Norman barons on the Continent had
constantly tried to break loose from his restraining power. It was
certain, then, that the news of his death would be the signal for
still more desperate attempts.

129. Character of William Rufus.

Rufus had his father's ability and resolution, but none of his
father's conscience. As the historian of that time declared, "he
feared God but little, man not at all." He had Caesar's faith in
destiny, and said to a boatman who hesitated to set off with him in a
storm at his command, "Did you ever hear of a king's being drowned?"

130. His Struggle with the Barons.

The barons broke the solemn oath which they had taken in the previous
reign (S122) to be faithful to the Crown. During the greater part of
the thirteen years of the new King's reign they were fighting against
him. On William's part it was a battle of centralization against
disintegration. He rallied the country people to his help--those who
fought with bows and spears. "Let every man," said the King, "who
would not be branded infamous and a coward, whether he live in town or
country, leave everything and come to me" (S85).

In answer to that appeal, the English people rallied around their
Norman sovereign, and gained the day for him under the walls of
Rochester Castle, Kent. Of the two evils, the tyranny of one or the
tyranny of many, he first seemed to them preferable.

131. William's Method of raising Money; he de