Page:The Queens of England.djvu/13

MATILDA OF FLANDERS. 3 as the wisest course. Flis love was accepted — perhaps returned, and the marriage day was fixed. The nuptials were celebrated at the duke's castle of Ange, in Normandy, in the year 1052, whither Matilda had been conducted by her parents with great pomp, the Earl of Flan- ders making many rich presents in addition to the dowry of his daughter. The garments of the bride were of the most costly materials and workmanship, and her mantle, adorned with jewels, together with that of her husband, were long preserved in the Cathedral of Bayeux. The nuptial festivities over, William conducted his bride through his dominions, and received the homage of his vas- sals, after which he established his court at Rouen. Never, perhaps, was happiness more complete than that of William and his accomplished consort, who, we are assured, what- ever was the previous state of her affections, became devotedly attached to her husband. From this period she also interested herself in many noble and intellectual pursuits, by which she acquired universal respect. The title also of William to the ducal crown, which, on account of his illegitimate birth, had been questioned, was now fully established, while his union with Matilda, herself a legitimate descendant of the royal line, gave stability to his power ; added to which the death of the King of France at this time freed him from apprehension of disturbance in that quarter. From this auspicious period William and Matilda passed many years in great conjugal felicity, which was augmented by the birth of several children. Their happiness, however, was not without alloy. William's uncle, the haughty Mauger, Archbishop of Rouen, who had received many favors from him, took offense at his marriage, and even went so far as to excommunicate the newly married cousins, on the plea of consanguinity, declaring that nothing could, expiate their offense but instant separation. William sought, at first, by liberal contributions to the Church, to allay the wrath of this prelate, but in vain ; he then appealed to the Pope, the powerful and far-famed Gregory the Seventh. The afterwards celebrated Lanfranc, at that time a man of but little note, was employed on this mission ; and so effective were his zeal and eloquence that Pope Gregory, unwilling to proceed to extremities with so potent a prince, and one who had paid such deference to him, granted a full dispensation ; making, however, an especial proviso that William and Matilda