<ott#tentatton at &ouctt. 163 



would not wake. They proceeded without remorse to 

 rifle the apartment both of anus and silver vessels; 

 they even took away the linen and royal vestments, and 

 having hastily packed them in bundles, each man threw 

 the one, which he secured, upon his steed, and galloped 

 away like the rest. From six till nine the corpse of the 

 mighty conqueror lay on the bare boards, with scarcely a 

 sheet to cover him. One son was gone, the other was 

 looking to his pelf, his officers and men-at-arms, priests 

 and doctors had deserted him; the queen, who would 

 have watched beside his dying couch, and soothed his 

 restless pillow, who dearly loved him whilst living, and 

 would not have forsaken him when dead, was herself in 

 the still grave. His favourite and youngest daughter, 

 had likewise been laid to rest, and Eleanor, Mar- 

 garet, Alela, Constance, and Cecilia were far distant. 

 Here, then, lay the corpse of William in the dismantled 

 apartment, while the men of Rouen, who were thrown 

 into the greatest consternation by the event of the king's 

 death, hurried about the streets, asking news of one 

 another, or advice concerning the present emergency, or 

 else busied themselves in hiding such things as were 

 most valuable. At length the monks and clergy 

 recollected the condition of the deceased monarch, and 

 forming a procession, they went with a crucifix and 

 lighted tapers to pray over the dishonoured body. 

 The Archbishop of Rouen wished that the interment 

 should take place at Caen, in preference to his own 

 city, it being thought most proper that the church of St. 



