Introduction
Many have portrayed the Norman Invasion of 1066 as a welcome injection of Continental sophistication into a rustic England, but that was not the opinion of Orderic Vitalis (1075-?1143) somewhat nearer to the action. He was inclined to acquit William himself, but regarded his French lieutenants as barbarians unworthy of the civilisation they had ruined.
AFTER his coronation at London, King William ordered many affairs with prudence, justice, and clemency. The taxes and all things concerning the royal revenues were so regulated as not to be burdensome to the people. Robbers, plunderers, and malefactors had no asylum in his dominions. Merchants found the ports and highways open, and were protected against injury. Thus the first acts of his reign were all excellent.
Meanwhile the English were subjected to grievous outrages by the haughty governors who disregarded the king’s injunctions. The chiefs of inferior rank, who had the custody of the castles, treated the natives, both high born and ordinary,* with the utmost scorn, and levied on them most unjust exactions. Bishop Odo himself, and William Fitz-Osbern, the king’s lieutenants, puffed up with pride, gave no heed to the reasonable complaints of his English subjects and disdained to weigh them in the balance of equity. They screened their men-at-arms, who most outrageously robbed the people and ravished the women, and those only incurred their wrath who were driven by these grievous affronts to be loud in their remonstrances.
* ‘High born and ordinary’ has been emended from translator Thomas Forester’s ‘gentle and simple,’ on the grounds that Forester’s words (though quite correct, using ‘gentle’ in the sense of ‘gentleman’) are too open to misunderstanding today. Orderic’s Latin was ‘nobiles et mediocres.’
Précis
When William the Conqueror was crowned King of England in 1066, he immediately brought in various regulations which Orderic Vitalis regarded as wise and equitable. However, his good work was undone by his lieutenants. They levied extortionate taxes, abused the native English of all classes in every conceivable way, and shielded the ruffians who did their work from punishment. (59 / 60 words)
When William the Conqueror was crowned King of England in 1066, he immediately brought in various regulations which Orderic Vitalis regarded as wise and equitable. However, his good work was undone by his lieutenants. They levied extortionate taxes, abused the native English of all classes in every conceivable way, and shielded the ruffians who did their work from punishment.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, may, not, otherwise, ought, unless, until, whether.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
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