943 936-943 trumpet's sound, when the surcoat was emblazoned, and the helmet crested, and the embroidered banner dropped ponderously pendant, shadowing the foliated ogive-canopy of the sepulchre. But the maxim, Le mort saisit le vif, was not undeniable law if applied to the Sovereign during the subsistence of the Carlovingian race, nay not even during the early generations of the Third Dynasty. Firmly as the principle of an hereditary right, vested in any given lineage, may have obtained, it was not a right absolutely inherent in the person. The son did not enter upon the royal authority, as a matter of course, after his father's demise. Amongst Subjects, the Benefice, Fief, Feud, or Lehn, was not brought into the heir's legal possession until he had been acknowledged by his Superior, neither could the Sovereign-apparent consider himself as clothed with royalty until sanctioned by the recognition of the Commonwealth. A father might, for the ensuring the transmission of the Kingdom to the Son, associate that Son to himself in the exercise Hereditary of the regal office; nevertheless in some guise or quiring the another the affirmation of the State was required; of the peo- nor could the right, though indefeasibly appermutation of taining to the lineage, be perfected, until such acceptance could be testified :-upon each mutation of occupancy, a pause ensued. right re ratification ple on each authority. Therefore, however solemn had been young Richard's inauguration at Danish Bayeux, Nor 943 'mandy must ratify the compact, and that assent 936-943 must be given which it was needful to solicit, though no one could anticipate a refusal. The same principle is still exemplified in England when, the right to the throne having been previously acknowledged by those who according to antient custom speak on behalf of the Community, the yet uncrowned Sovereign is presented before the shrine of the Confessor to the Lieges of the Realm. of Guil Longue It was a great advantage to Bernard the Interment Dane and the Council of Regency, that the slow laume progress of the funereal train from the banks the Somme, had afforded them full leisure of épée in for thedral, and Rouen Ca Richard's inaugura opportune consideration. The time was em- tion. 943 936-943 an impressive contrast exhibited between grief and gladness, a striking transition from mourning to joy. This tendency to poetize the affairs of human life seems to have been innate amongst the French, and it is one of the elements which potently contributed to the developement of chivalry. In the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Chieftains and Nobles, Priesthood and Laity, Normans and Bretons, were crowded-a vast commixed assembly. Guillaume Longue-épée's deep-dug resting-place had been prepared opposite to his father's tomb. By the side of the yawning grave stood the bier, bearing the swathed cere-clothed corpse. The still existing effigy which transmits Guillaume's portraiture, may, though the tomb be of later date, be readily accepted as recording the traditions of the antient times. The long-bladed sword, sheathed in the gemmed scabbard, was lying as on the dead man's breast.-All was ready -yet the obsequies were stayed.-No movement was made for the dark descent into the pit, and the untouched corpse remained a weight upon the bier. Then was the young Richard suddenly brought forth, the pleasant and fearless child.You would have known Richard Sans Peur anywhere as Guillaume's child,-the child displaying the characteristics of the antient Danish race, the 943 bright tints, the fair complexion, the golden hair, 936–943 and the brilliant eyes; the features which, to the last, were hereditary in Rollo's gifted progeny. One universal shout arose when the Boy was presented before the multitude. With one acclaim they acknowledged the heir of Guillaume Longue-épée and of Rollo;- they would serve him, they would defend him,-they would live and die for him, their natural Sovereign. Recognition of Ri chard on the propo Juhel Be The proceedings were opened by the Armoricans, Count Juhel Berenger took up the speech, an honour possibly rendered to his Comitial dig-sition of nity, as if he and Alain were the chief Peers of renger. the Northman's Monarchy. Moreover the increase of the Danish forces in the Côtentin, and the fear entertained by the Bretons lest the Pagan Danes might renew their devastations, compelled them to draw closer to the Christianized Northmen. But in whatever manner the pre-eminence thus ceded to the Count of Rennes may have been construed or taken, any way it manifested that Bretons and Normans were equally determined to co-operate in maintaining the dignity of the Ducal Realm. Juhel Berenger insisted upon Richard's right, echoing the popular postulation,―The boy must be their Duke, their Patrician, their Sovereign.-Guillaume's shield had fallen, Richard's shield must be raised. And, continuing his impassioned argument, the Count of Rennes demanded how otherwise than mustered under one 943 936-943 standard, could they protect themselves against the invasion of the enemy?-Again, a thundering shout declared the universal consent; and now the young Richard became qualified to receive the consecrated investiture. Only to a crowned King did the sacramental unction appertain, and not to every crowned King was that ordinance extended. The Duke's exalted rank entitled him to the benediction of the altar, and that benediction was bestowed. So to speak, he was in minor orders. In all respects, save ampulla and diadem, did the Ducal inauguration and the royal coronation correspond, and the three promises which the young Richard made to the people, binding himself to their observance in the Saviour's name that he would preserve Peace to Church and people,-prohibit all oppression and violence-and in all his judgments observe justice and mercy-were those exacted from every Sovereign. Peculiar reference was made in the Collects to Richard's youth. He received the ring and was girt with the sword-symbolizing his espousal to the dominion whereof he was to be the natural defender. The Lieges now perfected the compact. Again were the Armorican Chieftains foremost in testifying their obedience, placing their hands within the hands of Richard: and the other Nobles and Chieftains followed their example. The shrines were brought forth, and the Gospel book and the |