956-967 tion which the theme deserves; and a region 954-987 important alike to the Germans and the French has been neglected by the indefatigable diligence of the first, and the critical and acute assiduity of the last. Extent of Bruno's Stating the matter roundly and broadly, we Archbishop may say that the territories bestowed upon the dominions, Archbishop by Otho, gained through policy, or conquered by generalship or valour, consisted of the medieval and modern Duchies and Counties of Alsace, Lorraine, Bar, Luxembourg, Limbourg, Juliers, Hainault, Namur, Guelderland, Zealand, Holland, and Friesland; and the Provinces of the "Trois Evechés,"-Metz, Tulle, and Verdun,-so famous in the age of Louis-Quatorze. Another mode whereby those who are somewhat familiar with the territorial organization of the antient German Churches, may obtain a general notion of Bruno's government, will be to consider his authority as extending throughout the Archbishoprics of Cologne, and Treves and Mayence. Also the whole magnificent Arch-diocese of Utrecht; then including the entirety of the United Netherlands, and also "free Friesland" -that Anglo-Saxondom beyond the Sea,-yet not as they now exist, but then including vast submerged tracts, which neither the natural shores nor the failing dykes were adequate to defend against the devouring waves. These acquisitions constituted a Duchy com 954-987 manding the whole Rhine stream,- narrow, 956-967 widening, or widest-mouths and banks and Bruno's ac quisitions the estuaries;-from the rapids and echoes of spec principal Continent against the Danish inva. sions. barrier of the tral Lureley, even until the disappearance of the mighty but divided flood, amongst sands and shallows and shoals, and the surging seas. Bruno was in effect March-Warden of the whole maritime coast, from the Scheldt to the Sealands and the Islands, so far east as the mouth of the Weser. Bruno, governing the great battle-field of modern Europe, was placed in a situation of peculiar responsibility. His vigilance was not only specially due to the conterminous countries, but also, generally, to the Christian Commonwealth at large. He was entrusted with the litigious outposts, liable to bear the brunt against the most dreaded enemy: and, upon his vigilance, depended the security of the extensive littoral and the numerous adjoining islands within the channels claimed or owned by Germany or by France. Whether on the sea-board or the fresh water shores, the dread of the Danes was never wholly absent, their outrages were ever-living Constant ap. traditions; any day or any night might the Noble or the Peasant talk or dream of the summe harvests burning in the ricks, or the rig corpses swinging on the frozen boughs. And the terrors which haunted the Italian and Spanis shores in the days of Dragutte and Barbaross prehensions of danger from this quarter not unreasonable. 956-967 were tolerable, when compared with the horrors 954-987 still excited by the representative of the old SeaKings-Harold Blaatand in full vigour, his people always ready for the fight, their battle axes slung. Some of the Danes are said to have been converted by Bruno, but such hungry Neophytes required to be more narrowly observed than if they had continued unprofessing Pagans.-And-always comprehended in the category of Pirates, and, none more dreaded,-because the nearest-than the grandson of Rollo. Nor were these anxieties without foundation. Though temporarily kept in check by Edgar, the Northmen were preparing to renew that desperate series of attacks which enabled the Son of Blaatand to found a Danish dynasty in England. 959 3 April. meeting be Cordial tween Bruno and Gerberga § 26. Bruno attached himself more affectionately than ever to his widowed sister Gerberga. Thankfully partaking of Otho's hospitality, did they celebrate the Paschal Feast in the Eaglecrowned Pfaltz at Aix-la-Chapelle, seated at the table of marble-stone. Yet, amidst all joys, carking cares constantly gnawed the hearts of the at Aix-laFrench royal family. Hugh-le-Grand slept in Uneasiness his grave, but Louis d'Outremer's royal widow family. and Louis d'Outremer's crowned Son were not the more at rest.-Let them flit where they chose, they startled at the groaning of the wind or the creaking of the door. New sources of apprehension arose - the Chapelle. of the Royal 954-987 House of Lombardy-Vermandois had not despaired of their rehabilitation. Since Charle 956-967 magne's days the adverse possession retained by Dormant rights of the Lombardy the reigning branches might be construed as Vermandois line. Herbert the His eldest Bon. His pretensions. having barred their dynastic rights, yet blind Bernard's descendants were legitimate descendants of Charlemagne after all. The runaway Handsome. marriage of Herbert the Handsome with the Queen Dowager Ogiva, however indecorous, (See Vol. I., heightened the family splendour, and the union was not unblessed. Two children had the buxom matron borne to Herbert; who, representing, through their father, the genuine Carlovingian line, were also distinguished by their alliance with the royal blood of England. p. 356.) 960Robert, Count of bels against the King. Robert Count of Troyes, Herbert the regiTroyes, re- cide's active son, raised the standard and roused the rebellion. The vituperative appellation, "the Tyrant," bestowed upon the deceased Herbert, Robert's father, and equally applied to him, indicates his power and the apprehension excited by the revolt. Count Count Robert sought to render Dijon the Dijon by the centre of his operations against the King. Dijon of the Com- gained, Burgundy would lie at his mercy. treachery mander. The way opened for a bloodless contest-gold substituted for steel. A young Noble, son of Count Odalric, possibly the Count of Verdun, had been placed by Lothaire as Commander of the City. This young man, whose name is not mentioned, perhaps through very shame, consented to the 954-987 suggested treason. Opening the gates, he ad- 956-967 mitted the revolters, and, preventing the Stern was Lothaire's Bruno's help, City. "Tyrant " became his homager. Lothaire assailed Dijon. Up and doing, vigilant Bruno Lothaire, by was forthwith also in the field. Two thousand regains the Lorrainers, under the Archbishop's command, attacked Troyes, and Robert submitted to the King's mercy. For him, - mercy,- but for the traitor none. justice or vengeance. The delinquent suffered Rigorous capital punishment. He was beheaded, and indicted by Count Odalric was compelled to endure the agony traitor. of beholding his son expire under the hands of the executioner. After this vigorous, perhaps rigorous exertion of Royal Power, Lothaire returned to Laôn. § 27. According to popular opinion, Richard's character improved greatly after his marriage. Inspired rather by conventional gallantry than guided by correct reasoning, the Normans attributed this amelioration to the benign influence of the young Duchess. Considered under a political aspect, the union assuredly proved advantageous. Richard continued gaining in good report with the world: talent and ability enabling him to extend his authority widely, and his influence still more, thereby provoking an active revival of antient enmities. The Court of Laôn swarmed with VOL II. Ꮓ Ꮓ punishment Lothaire upon the |