If any inquire into the real historical foundations for the story, I refer them to the few notes at the end of the book, which will reveal without much doubt where fiction begins and fact ends. I hope I may be allowed a little license in the treatment of facts. There is—is there not?—a logic of fiction, as well as a logic of facts. At least there seemed to be as I wrote the story, and I hope no one who reads it will be inclined to quarrel with any part of it because its only basis is—imagination. Anyway, I will shelter myself under the great words of a great man, in the preface of one of the great books of the world: "For herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and renommée. And for to pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in, but for to give faith and belief that all is true that is contained herein, ye be at your liberty: but all is written for our doctrine, and for to beware that we fall not to vice nor sin, but to exercise and follow virtue by the which we may come and attain to good fame and renown in this life, and after this short and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven" (Preface of William Caxton to "The Book of King Arthur").
W.J. FERRAR.
CONTENTS.
| [PREFACE.] | |
| [CONTENTS.] | |
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| Of how I, Nigel de Bessin, was brought up by the monks of the Vale in Guernsey Island, and how on a certain day the abbot gave me choice of two lives, and which I chose. | [5] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| Of Vale Castle hard by the Abbey, and how I was sent with a letter to Archbishop Maugher, and by the way first saw the Sarrasin pirates at work. | [12] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| Of my Lord Maugher and his Familiar Demon. How he received the abbot's letter, and how I was courteously entertained at his house of Blanchelande. | [18] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| Of the coming of the Sarrasins in force, and of the building of their château—Of Brother Hugo's confidence in God, and how I rang the alarm-bell at St. Pierre Port. | [28] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Of what befell the abbot's envoys to Duke William, our liege lord, and more particularly Brother Ralf, and how we were hemmed in by our foes. | [34] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| Of our passing from cloister to castle, and of the burning of Vale Abbey—Of the siege of the castle, and the exploits of Brother Hugo. | [40] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| Of Le Grand Sarrasin, and of the renewed attack upon Vale Castle—Of my first deeds of arms, and how the Moors were beaten back. | [47] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| How I was sent forth by my lord abbot to seek protection of Duke William, and of what befell me by the way of the pirates. | [54] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| Of our battle on the rocks of Jersey Isle, and how Simon gave up his life, and how I was taken captive and brought back. | [61] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| How I was brought before Le Grand Sarrasin, and of his magnificence—How I saw Folly in his chamber, and was lodged in a cavern under earth. | [65] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| By what means I was delivered from Le Grand Sarrasin, and how I found shelter with the priest of St. Apolline's. | [72] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| Of my second setting-forth for Normandy, and in what guise I took passage. | [80] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| How I arrived at St. Malo, and, proceeding to the Abbey of St. Michael de Tombelaine, found friends to set me on my road. | [85] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| How, being given letters to Duke William by the Abbots of St. Michael and of Bec, I set out for Coulances, and of what befell me on my way. | [93] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| How I saw an evil face at a casement, and how at my uncle's house of St. Sauveur I heard tell of my father—And of what happed on our getting forth for Valognes. | [99] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| How, at length I was brought before William, Conquestor Invictissimus, of all soldiers the greatest, and most invincible of dukes—Of the manner he received my mission, and of the expedition of Samson d'Anville. | [106] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| Of the journey of our ships to relieve the Brethren of the Vale, and how we fought a great battle with the Moors outside the Bay of L'Ancresse. | [113] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| The story of the relief of Vale Castle. | [122] |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| How we set forth to attack Le Château du Grand Sarrasin—Of the Normans' valour, and of the flight of our foes. | [128] |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| Of the sore slaughter in the glen of Moulin Huet, and on the shore, and how Le Grand Sarrasin was slain, and of his secret. | [135] |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| Conclusion. How, the above matters being finished, I was made known to my father. | [143] |
| [HISTORICAL NOTES.] | |
HISTORICAL NOTES.
| PAGE | ||
| A. | Archbishop Maugher | [147] |
| B. | Vale Abbey | [148] |
| C. | Vale Castle | [148] |
| D. | Visit of Duke Robert | [149] |
| E. | The Sarrazins in Guernsey | [150] |
| F. | The Expedition of Samson d'Anville | [150] |