The Gift Thrice Given
A story about William the Conqueror’s father, Robert the Magnificent.
1027-1035
The Abbey of Saint Vigor, Cerisy-la-Forêt, northern France.
© Martpan, Wikimedia Commons. Licence CC-BY-SA 3.0.
The Abbey of Saint Vigor, Cerisy-la-Forêt, northern France. The current building dates from the last quarter of the 11th century. © Martpan, Wikimedia Commons. Licence CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Introduction
Robert the Magnificent (1000-1035) was Duke of Normandy, and the father of King William I of England. His nickname referred in part to his legendary generosity.
slightly altered
WHEN attending mass at the Abbey of Cerizy, his own foundation, Robert one day remarked a stranger knight, when asked for his alms at the offertory, reply sadly, that he had nothing to give.
Robert beckoned to a squire, and sent him to present the poor stranger with a purse containing a hundred pounds, which the knight immediately offered on the altar.
After the mass was over, the sacristan came to ask him if he knew how large the sum was, or if he had given it by mistake, to which he replied, that he had offered it wittingly, since it was for no other end that the Duke had sent it to him.
His answer was reported by the sacristan to the Duke, who instantly sent the high-minded stranger a second purse, containing the same sum for his own use.
slightly altered
From ‘Cameos from English History’, by Charlotte Yonge (1823-1901). Slightly altered.
