946-947 lement" of 912-954 Would be under the observation of the Normans, and, at the same time, protected against any surprise by the veneration which the consecrated precinct inspired. Thither Otho repaired, attended by his Princes and Captains and men of mark, an ample and important assembly, which The "Par- the Norman Trouveur designates as the "ParleSt Quen. ment," a term so comprehensive in the antient vernacular idiom and so familiar in our own. Full as the Meeting was, it might however be remarked, that a most influential member was absent, a member who had not been summoned, the hitherto animating spirit of the war -the Flemish Arnoul. Otho never belied his reputation for liberality. A munificent gift to the Community, seven ingots of gold laid upon the altar, probably assisted the monks in preserving the tradition of these transactions, and the three rich scarlet carpets which covered the estrade, also remained as further memorials in the Abbey. Otho, unsupported by his vassals, now cast the whole responsibility upon them. Would they adhere to the opinion that Rouen was impregnable? He had been deluded by the plausible representations which a false traitor had made; and there was no help for it. They had only a choice of evils; and let them reconsider and finally decide which course would be the more prudent, to prosecute or to abandon the enterprise? Otho received the answer he had 942-954 suggested, and somewhat more. 946-947 man no Arnoul Traitor. Hitherto, all who believed that Arnoul was untrue, had spoken under their breath. None had dared expressly to charge so powerful a Potentate with treason. But they now opened their minds, declaring him The Gerto be the culprit; nor, was there any disgrace in bles name confessing, that Otho's cause had been sacrificed as the by fraud. Faithfully had Otho performed his covenant with Louis. Discouraged and troubled, the French, scarcely able to defend themselves, would be unwilling or incompetent to afford any farther aid. The Edeling had perished; the power of Normandy rendered the contest desperate; and Otho must retire. Otho pro Arnoul should be surrendered to Richard; Otho had now obtained what he sought-the impeachment of the Lord Marcher. But this success did not satisfy him: he wanted more, a complete and final deliverance from the Traitor. He therefore proposed that Arnoul should be given over into the power of Richard, who poses that would deal, as became a son, with his Father's treacherous murderer.-Let Arnoul be seized, but the Gerbound in chains, and surrendered to the avenger. refuse, and The honest Germans had, however, a more acute Otho's resense of honour than their Sovereign, and protested against thus rendering evil for evil. Their opinion, however, was unaltered. The more speedy the retreat, the better; the longer they tarried, the more irremediable the danger; VOL. II. PP man nobles insist upon treat. 942-954 the City was impregnable; no proposals would be made by the Normans; and further delay would involve them in destruction. 916-947 Otho Rouen. The decision given, the members dispersed; but ere Otho departed, he reverently re-entered the Sanctuary, and once more knelt before the altar, and he then went forth right royally and solemnly. The Citizens flocked out to salute the King. Otho gave his last look at Rouen;abandons the day was a day of peace-no bow was bent, no weapon unsheathed; he repaired to his Pavilion: and though the anecdote be homely, it marks the tranquillity which had been restored to Otho by the determination he unwillingly adopted, a determination related by the historian without any circumlocution, — how the King ordered his noontide meal to be made ready. Arnoul's $ 60. Arnoul's cheek must have burnt uneasiness. whilst the "Parliament" was sitting in the Abbey of Saint Ouen. Otho's objurgations during the halt at the Epte, when he declared to Arnoul that he held him responsible for the result of the campaign, seem to have pressed grievously upon the old man's mind. It was upon his responsibility that Otho had undertaken the enterprise. Each successive disappointment which Otho sustained could not have failed to render him more ungracious: and the exclusion of Arnoul from the Council,-Arnoul, hitherto the constant satellite of the German Sovereign during the campaign, an insult hu- 942-954 miliating him before all the world,—was also an indication that a sterner vengeance than mere disgrace was intended. No secrecy of debate could silence the reporters. The King's proposition oozed out, but the reply of the Council was not known, and it was universally bruited that condign punishment was to be inflicted upon Arnoul. Otho, according to the universal rumour, had determined to surrender the assassin of Guillaume Longueépée to Richard, and Richard would pronounce sentence that the criminal should be torn asunder 946-947 alarmed by wild horses. Arnoul was exceedingly ter- Arnoul, rified by this intelligence; and, without a mo- for his ment's hesitation, he determined to flee from determines the dreaded retribution. Rumour had revealed more and less than the truth, an exaggerated account of the peril, but not the refusal of the Germans to concur in the vengeance. Though Arnoul's apprehensions may have been aggravated by morbid terror, yet his judgment was in nowise enfeebled when called into practical action. He had the whole day before him for the purpose of completing his preparations, and he instantly determined to decamp after nightfall, man and horse, bag and baggage, and, escaping the snare, leave Otho to his fate. A Netherlander, Arnoul did not compromise the steady and cautious character of his own safety, to retreat. 946-947 942-954 nation by making more haste than good speed. The rich tents were carefully taken down and neatly folded, and the valuables trussed in bales, and loaded on the steady sumpter horses. As cleverly, expeditiously, speedily, and quietly did the Flemings proceed, as thieves packing up their booty, and stealing out of a dwelling-house. This effected, Arnoul and his troops equipped themselves considerately, donned helmet and hauberk, and girt their swords, and directing their faces towards distant Flanders, moved off from the field. Arnoul and the Flemings move away. Very opportunely for the Flemings there was no moon; but though unobserved they were not unheard. Silently had they commenced the march, but silence could be no longer maintained. The clumsy wheels creaked. The stout Netherlandish waggons rumbled. The beasts trod heavily; and the dull tumultuous sound of the moving multitude, transmitted through earth and air, reached equally the Germans and the French, inspiring dire alarm. The belief spread simultaneously amongst both the encampments, that the Normans had made a sally. A contagious panic ensued, absurd, nay, almost insane. The night was pitch-dark, and, the French taken by surprise, when they were enjoying mencement themselves at their ease, the allies absolutely "Rout of lost their wits by terror. They cut the cords Panic amongst the Ger mans and -Com of the Rouen." of the tents, they cast down the pavilions, they |