La Hougue Bie de Hambie (Volume 2); A Tradition of Jersey with Historical, Genealogical and Topographic Notes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837. Excerpt: ... Far extending as the fame of the brilliant achievements of her son, a reproach has been associated with the name of the lovely maid of Falaise, which though it fell with peculiar odium on her, she was in no way more obnoxious to, than Pope, Sprote, or Gonnor, who like herself were married a la Dannois, then commonly' the only conjugal tie in Normandy. Indeed, with the exception of his father, all her son's ancestors merited the appellation of Nothus, by which he was particularly distinguished, not less than himself. Historians differ as to her name and family, since she is variously called Harlot, Herlotta, Herlese, Aillot, Arlieta, Arletta, Hellena, and Bellona; and with respect to her family, since the Chronicles of St. Denis describe her as "Une pucelle qui avait nom Herlave, fille de Fulboiz, son Robert's chambellan;" and William of Jumieges, as "Herleva, Ful berti cubicularii Ducis filia nobilibus indige nis, et maxime ex Richardorum prosapia natis," while 1 M. Pluquet, in a note on the words " Filz a putains," so often repeated by Robert Wace, and other authors of the middle ages, and which are used in addressing or designating the " paysans," serfs, or villains, is led to suppose the people were not married, and lived in concubinage. The appellation is used generally inoffensively, and without any opprobrious signification. The authority of the church, which now made rapid strides to universal power, and whose usurpations we are more mindful of than grateful for the benefits she disseminated, had soon greater influence than the example of the great, or the custom of the country. Will, of Jumieges says of the Conqueror, "Despectui erat utpote nothus: " and the Chro. St. Denis, "Mult ob grant despit de ce que li enfes Gulliaume estoit entrez en la Duc...