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www.michael-milsom.org.uk/mdm/rollo/rollo11.htm
Dudo of St. Quentin's Gesta Normannorum
Franks, Burgundians and Aquitanians cannot prevent Rollo and his followers from conquering the future Normandy
William son of Popa
The Liberation of Chartres
Having returned thence to the boats, he is planning in his sagacious mind what he should do, with the advice of his men, having called together the leaders. Then his followers, as though prescient of the future and imbued with a presentiment of divine inspiration, have said aloud to Rollo: "This land is plentifully furnished with an abundant supply of all the fruits of the earth, shady with trees, divided up by rivers filled with fish, copiously supplied with diverse kinds of wild game, but empty of armed men and warriors. We will subordinate this land to our power. And we will claim this land as our allotment , we will obtain through battle both villages and fortresses and towns large and small of neighboring peoples, so that the distant throngs we have left behind may rest. Perhaps the explanation of your vision referred to this territory." Thus gladdened by his followers' replies, with ships untied Rollo is carried upstream from Rouen towards Pont de l'Arche, to a place called Damps.
Thereupon does common talk, because it is privy to affairs everywhere, announce that the Normans, collected into an innumerable multitude in the bed of the Seine, are at the cross-roads of Francia. But the Franks, as stupefied by their arrival as by the sudden sound of thunder, have come upon the point of descent of the river Eure, along with Anstign (who has been summoned there, himself formerly an invader of Francia) and with an assembled army of vast multitude. Then Ragnold, prince of all Francia, said to Anstign, that exciter of all vileness: "You, begotten of that nation, give us advice about these matters." Replying forthwith to count Ragnold, Anstign put this forward: "If you had sought advice from me with three days notice, advice resulting from thorough consideration, then I would have given it to you. Just send ambassadors to them to find out what they themselves say." Then Ragnold: "Go swiftly, we pray, to find out their purpose." Anstign replied: "I will not go alone." On the contrary, they sent with him two warriors skilful in the Dacian language.
Coming upon the riverbank, they stood still, saying: "Counts of royal power command you to say who you are, and whence you have come, and what you are planning to do." Truly they replied: "We are Danes. Carried here from Dacia, we have come to take Francia by assault." Yet they: "What authority does your lord discharge?" They replied: "None, for we are of equal power." Then Anstign, wishing to know what they would say about himself, said: "Whose reputation has prompted you to come here? Have you ever heard anything about a certain Anstign, born in your homeland, who sailed here with a numerous warband?" They replied: "We have heard of him. For he was augured to be a good man and he made a good beginning, but he chose an evil end and finish." Again Anstign: "Are you willing to lower your necks before King Charles of Francia, and to devote yourselves to his service, and to draw many favors from him?" They replied: "We will never subjugate ourselves to anyone nor cling to anyone's service nor take favors from anyone. The favor that would please us best is the one that we will claim for ourselves by force of arms and in the hardship of battle." Then the Franks: "What are you going to do?~" After this, the Dacians: "Go away, the sooner the better, and do not stand there any longer, for we care nothing for your double-talk, nor are we going to reveal to you what we shall do."
But, going away, they promptly reported to the army what they had heard. But Ragnold said, turning towards Anstign: "Does it seem to all of you that a war will be started? You men are of their nation, you are not ignorant, through your own practice, of battling in the style of the Danes, tell us what should we do?" Then Anstign, bolstered by poisonous and fox-like skill, is addressing the army: "If this nation, so strong in the flower of youthful age, so well-versed in arms, and tested in many many battles, is attacked, great peril will be created for us." Then a standard-bearer of the Frankish host, named Rotland, is said to have said: "Why are you all looking to this man? A wolf will never be captured by a wolf, nor a fox by a fox." Spurred on by these words, Anstign has said: "From now on, war will not be reviled by me."
Meanwhile Rollo and those who were with him have made for themselves a fortification, and an obstacle after the fashion of a fortress (which is visible to the present day), defending themselves behind a circular bulwark of rent earth, and leaving ample space to act as a gate. Truly the Franks have come at dawn to the church of St. Germanus and, hearing mass there, they partake of the body and blood of Christ. Riding hence, seeing the boats on the riverbank, and the Dacians in the fortification of rent earth, they have attacked the ample entrance-gate alone. But the Dacians have lay down inside, spread out in every direction on the ground of the fortress, and have covered themselves completely with their shields. Rotland, Ragnold's standard-bearer, has violently rushed upon them through the ample entrance of marvelous breadth, along with the battle-line that was advancing in front of the army, and he has begun to subdue them. But the Dacians, rising up, in a moment have slain Rotland and his attendants. Contemplating all the dead there, Ragnold and Anstign and the other counts have taken flight, turning their backs, joyful.
Rollo, having immediately called together those who were returning from the fleeing enemy, has said: "What evil have we done to the Franks? Why did they leap upon us? For what reason have they preferred to strike us down? It is they who have initiated this evil, the fault is the attacker's, not the defender's, the audacity is his who wishes to strike, not his who defends himself. Henceforth, whatever evil we might do to them, we will be committing because their own deeds were a cause of offense. Ho! let us occupy their fortresses and towns. In return for their offenses, let us return like for like, now that such great evils have accumulated."
Having left behind the fortification of turned-up earth, with Duke Rollo's encouragement they have first attacked the inhabitants of Meulan, sailing with a swift course. With the leaders killed, they quickly destroy Meulan, and they have laid waste the entire province. But count Ragnold is trying to attack them a second time, with an army greater than the one assembled earlier. However the Normans have lay themselves down, massing closely together, so that their total number would be supposed very small. Ragnold begins a war there that will not favor his own fortune. Truly the Dacians, proceeding unshattered through Ragnold's battle-array, have been overthrowing very many opponents with rough lashings. Moreover Ragnold, seeing his followers wanting, has begun to flee with a swift course. A certain Seine fisherman, associated with Rollo, has stopped him and killed him, pierced through with his spear. Seeing their lord dead, Ragnold's men have made for their horses, turning in flight. Then Rollo, pursuing them, has killed many and has led many more captive to his ships. And he has said to his assembled fideles: "Go, let us sail now to Paris and seek those citizens who have fled from this battle."
Thus the Normans have untied their ships from the bank at Meulan and, surrounding Paris, have besieged it and have depended upon the booty of that province for carrying on the siege. As Rollo lingers long at the siege of Paris, the booty, seized in far-off regions, has been running out. The Normans instantly make for the Bessin , seizing all its booty, have begun to storm the city. However the citizens have resisted them like an enemy so that they would not stay there, they have even captured Botho, that extraordinary Norman count. The Normans, grieving over Botho, have sent to the people of Bayeux to say: "If you return Botho to us, we will give you a guarantee of safety for one year." The people of Bayeux, drawn together in deliberation, have said to one another: "It is better for us to rest for the year than to pass the entire time in battle for the sake of a single count." Thus, once the guarantee of security has been given, they have returned Botho, that extremely fierce warrior. But once Rollo has passed a year besetting Paris in the siege, he makes for Bayeux, and he has taken possession of it by force and has utterly destroyed the entire city and has claimed for himself captives and spoils from the whole region. Glad, he has at one time even brought with him the daughter of Prince Berengar, the maiden Popa, beautiful in appearance, grown strong from the arrogant blood of a very powerful man, and has joined her to himself in sexual union. And he has sired by her a son named William.
Afterwards, remaining near Paris, he has sent his army to Evreux to capture the city and the bishop. Coming to the city, the army has attacked it and has seized spoils and very many of the populace. But the bishop, Sebar by name, has by God's will escaped. And they have laid waste the whole land, seizing the spoils of the district , and have immediately come back to Paris. Thus terrified by such things, very many of the peoples of Francia have been paying tribute to Rollo, though very many have been resisting him.
But the Angles, hearing that Rollo had besieged the town of Paris and was held fast, entwined in Frankish affairs, and estimating that he would not come to the assistance of his friend King Alstem, casting off their promise, presumptuously began to grow haughty and to contend against the King, dealing blows in unsuitable wars. Truly the English land was being layed waste by the armies of the King and his opponents. Since he did not have the wherewithal to resist the presumption of the Angles, the most Christian King Alstem sent a certain count to Rollo, then fighting out the war around the walls of the town of Paris. Coming to him, speaking with lowered countenance, the count put forth: "Alstem King of the Angles sends you the dear present of inextricable friendship. At one time, my lord, you and Alstem, peace-making King of the Angles, pledged an alliance of mutual aid that whichever of you might be in need of help, he would be strengthened by the other's support and whichever of you unfavorable fortune might trample, the other would come to his assistance. Wherefore, overwhelmed by an unexpected rising of the treasonous Angles, he prays you to fleetly assist him with your might, greater than that of all others, because the Angles, knowing you to be hindered by the matter of the Frankish war, do not reckon that you will advance any closer to my lord's assistance." But Rollo bestowed upon the King's ambassador whatever was needed and ordered him to wait for three days. And he began to examine with the assembled magnates what to do about the matter.
And at once he has sent to the princes of the city either to surrender it to him or to give him hostages or to prepare themselves for a diligent defense. However the citizens have not been willing to surrender the town to him or to give him hostages, but they are hastening to prepare themselves for the battles of the coming day. Truly, rising at dawn at the time of the continuous conflict, Rollo has begun the day's combat and, for an entire day, has cast down citizens in battle. Seeing, however, that he has not captured the town through battle, at nightfall he has equipped his ships with sails and has left Paris behind and has came as quickly as he could to the land of the Angles, with King Alstem's ambassador. And he has sent that ambassador to the King and has notified him that he is there to help. Then King Alstem, gladdened by the ambassador's words, has called for his abundantly large army and has proceeded hastily to meet Duke Rollo. The two have met, embraced and kissed extremely amicably.
Immediately, Rollo has begun to address the King in a gracious voice: "I render to you, lord King, completely deserved thanks, for you sent to me among the Walgri twelve ships filled with distinguished warriors and the same number loaded with grain and wine and lard." Then the King has said in a prophetic voice: "I owe you the very greatest thanks for, because of me, you left behind a realm given to you by God and hastily came to my assistance. You are not ignorant of the reason why I have sent for you to aid me? This realm, which I rule and profit, is being laid waste, and the dignity of my rule being brought to nothing, for the Angles, elated and corrupted by rash haughtiness, are unwilling to obey my commands. Falling away from me, they have conspired among themselves and, rejecting me and my service, account me of slight value, indeed even snatch for themselves the profits of my small towns . Thus I pray you to help me dash them to pieces and scatter them and crush them and tread down their insolent strength, so that they be brought back, even if unwilling, to my service and sharply undergo whatever punishment they deserve. Therefore I will give you the moiety of my realm, and I will of my own accord grant you half the store of all my household furnishings. And, thus bound by an indestructible alliance of united friendship, let us together hold the realm and administer its goods, and those of the whole office ." Thus, King Alstem has given Rollo half the realm, and the moiety of his own goods.
Duke Rollo has immediately replied to the King: "It is for you, lord King, to command, and for me to obey. I will crush whomever you wish, I will destroy whomever you may desire. I will destroy their large towns and I will set fire to their villas and small towns, I will trample and scatter them, I will subordinate them to you and kill them, I will take their wives and offspring captive and I will devour their herds." Having mutually brought these discussions to a close, they proceed (of one mind) against the Angles who are opposing the King. Truly, Rollo has prosecuted many battles against the Angles and has besieged their towns. He has pillaged many of those towns, consumed by fire. Moreover the Angles, seeing that they have not been prevailing against the King but, failing, have been being destroyed, have come to Rollo and have said on bended knees: "Mightiest of the Dacians, we are prepared to be reconciled and united with King Alstem for, inadvisedly, we have transgressed against the King, rupturing the ties of fidelity which we had promised him. We will give him sureties that our trust will be preserved and faithfully serve him from now on, devoting ourselves to him of our own accord."
Truly, hearing this, Rollo has gone to King Alstem and announced to the King what the Angles had reported. Then the King, moved by the dutifulness of his one-time followers, has said: "If you so advise, my friend, I will accept them back into our service after they have given sureties, so that the state be scourged no longer." Then Rollo: "Do accept those sureties, lord, that they will abide strictly by their promise to you; even I, a foreigner who does not know the customs of the Angles, will accept for myself sureties of lasting fidelity." At once each offending Angle, obligingly bearing responsibility for the offense and the repentance, has given one pledge to the King and another to Rollo. And so, formerly lashed by Rollo, they have become calm, pacified by him as well. Moreover the King, estimating that Rollo will linger for all time in the English land, is specifically designating for Rollo the moiety of his realm, namely large towns and fortresses , villas and small towns , halls and palaces and his own household goods, yea indeed he is begging Rollo to allow himself to be redeemed in the sacred font and purified of his offences.
However Rollo, always mindful of his vision, has not assented to the King's prayers. But, bringing his share of the sureties before the King, he has said with a serene countenance: "I have, my lord King, returned like for like in return for the goods which you laid out for me in the territory of the Walgri. The realm which, beyond those goods, you have given me, I return to you with this sword, which has twelve pounds of gold in its hilt. Indeed, bid that the hostages who are mine by right, and who are right here, be taken back, being careful lest the treachery of their fathers and grandfathers, rejecting you, ensnare you again. I will swiftly return to Francia and destroy and crush, scatter and conquer my foes. I only pray that, should any men prefer to follow me, you not hold them back." However the King, marveling and giving thanks for these words, has said: "Most mighty Duke, part of my soul, I will go with you. For you I will abase the King, Dukes and counts." Rollo has replied: "In no wise, lord, must you leave your realm, which you ought to rule and profit with continual aid."
Amicably leaving the King, Rollo immediately comes across the deep to the Frankish realm with an indescribable multitude of assembled youths. Immediately dividing the counts of his army, he has sent some swiftly sailing to take booty from the provinces lying along the bed of the Seine, others along the flowing Loire, others along the torrent of the Gironde. However, coming himself once more to Paris, he has begun to storm the town and to lay waste the land of his foes. However King Charles, hearing that Rollo had subjugated the realm across the sea, so weakened by unsuitable wars, to the King and to himself, with the advice of the Franks asks bishop Franco of Rouen, now associated with Rollo, to come to him. Suffering greatly over the extreme poverty of his realm, he has said to the company of Franks, assembled in order to take counsel about the pagans' great insolence, and to bishop Franco, who has already been called: "The realm which I to rule is deserted. The land is not rent by the plough, the state is both taken captive and destroyed. I am unable to hinder Rollo, for I am daily deprived of my followers. Wherefore am I asking and deprecating your paternal holiness to obtain for us from Rollo a negotiated peace of three months and if, perhaps, during that time he should wish to become a Christian, we will give him the very greatest favors and repay him with great gifts."
Truly Franco, having returned to Rouen after hearing this, has said to Duke Rollo with must humble prayers: "The King of the Franks enjoins you to give them a three-month peace; perhaps some advantageous measure will be enacted between you and him." Moreover, when he had heard this, with the deliberation of his followers Rollo gave the King a three-month pact. Truly for the interval of this very briefest time, the land was at rest from the pagans. However the Burgundians, namely Richard, and Ebalus count of Poitou, hearing that the unwarlike Franks, feeble in arms and almost womanish, had requested safety from Rollo, sent to the King and counts, saying: "Why do you allow the land you hold to be layed waste by pagans? Why do you not help those over whom you ought rule and whom you ought to profit? And why do you not resist this nation, banished from its own territory? If you would like, we will aid you and will willingly be at your side if perchance some war should assail you." But the Franks, irritated by these insolent words, began to wage war again on the pagans once the term of the peace had run out.
At once Rollo, reckoning that he was counted cheap by the Franks because of the safety which he had given them, began to mangle and destroy and obliterate the populace, by savagely and cruelly laying waste their provinces. His followers, however, proceeding into Burgundy and sailing through the Yonne into the Siene and, laying waste the lands adjacent to those torrents on all sides all the way to Clermont-Ferrand, attacked the province of Sens and, pillaging all around, came back to meet Rollo at St.-Benoet-sur-Loire. Rollo, however, seeing the monastery of St. Benoet, was unwilling to defile it, nor did he suffer that province to be pillaged because of St. Benedict. Indeed, going to Etampes he ruined all the nearby land, took very many captives, took booty from neighboring lands, coming thence to Villemeux, and then hastened to return to Paris.
But, seeing the strongest Frankish fighting men and the fiercest Burgundian combatants entirely annihilated, rustics, assembling an incomprehensibly numerous multitude fruitlessly bearing unaccustomed arms, are trying to attack Rollo. However Rollo, looking back, has seen the air full of dust and thickly clouded by the repeated charge of foot-soldiers; he has said to his assembled leaders: "A crowd, whether of foot-soldiers or horsemen I know not, is following us; let our foot-soldiers swiftly make for the road, while the horsemen remain with us, so that we might see how much courage they have, those who wish to ruin us." However as Rollo waits with the horsemen, the rustics, horsemen with foot-soldiers, have drawn near. At once Rollo has rushed upon the villagers, and has overthrown and crushed them to their utter destruction by a cruel violent death. The great carnage completed, he has gone back to his followers.
But afterwards, burning with a great fury and inflamed with passion towards his foes, Rollo has made like an enemy for the city of Chartres and has remained with a great army, laying waste the county of Dunois and the Chartrain. But a certain most religious bishop, named Uualtelmus, has had charge of the town. He, lamenting and wailing and earnestly engaging in uninterrupted prayers, has sent for Richard Duke of the Burgundians and for Ebalus count of Poitou to come, for the love of God, to the assistance of that town, fallen prey to imminent death.
The Liberation of Chartres
However, he has also sent ambassadors with this sorrowful message to the Franks. Keeping close to count Richard, they have swiftly attacked Rollo, who was then battling around the walls of Chartres. But, struggling valiantly against them, Rollo has rushed steadily upon them and has vanquished them in his accustomed manner in the first effort of the war. But the Franks and the Burgundians, recovering their strength and taking the risk a second time, attack Rollo, who is roughly opposing them. Therefore, with very many Christians and pagans now fallen, each army has been standing its ground in the battle, procuring life for itself through exchanged blows, when suddenly bishop Uualtelmus, crowned with the Episcopal mitre as though about to celebrate mass and carrying in his hands a cross and the tunic of the sacrosanct Virgin Mary, bounding forth from inside the city surrounded by iron-clad battle-lines and followed by the clergy with the citizens, lashes the backs of the pagans with spears and swords. Rollo, however, perceiving that he is now between two armies and is not prevailing, and that his followers are waning, has begun to turn away from them, passing through their midst, lest he fall prey to death.
Apostrophe
Rollo, mighty and powerful and vigorous and most fierce in arms,
Do not feel ashamed if you now are considered a runaway.
No Frankish or Burgundian assembly
Of manifold nations and hosts puts you to flight, fells you,
But the nourishing tunic of the Virgin mother of God and
Likewise amulets and relics and the reverend cross
Which the reverend prelate carries in his worthy hands.
Your will is still in your ability, as it was in the past,
And now your will and your ability shall go forward legally
And shall recognize, at this very moment, your human ability and will.
Your will shall now regard your ability as its ally
And your ability shall itself stand ready for your will as its ally.
And once these two, which had been separated, have been united,
You will either bring to pass, or not, whatever you will,
But without them, you will accomplish nothing.
Each often obtains its ally violently,
Each often resists its ally behind an impetuous barrier,
As nature, which endures the sad condition of a human creature
Because of its ally, preserves some harmony.
Another Apostrophe to Rollo
Fortune has harassed you with many complaints,
Whence you have endured many kinds of threats and very great hardships.
Forthwith will it thenceforth offer you better things, with everlasting success,
Joyous things will now follow so many rough ones, tolerated for so long.
After this you will gather in long-lasting joys, grief conquered.
Thus far hardship has driven you about, an author of war.
After these griefs you will have enough of the gifts of repose,
For indeed many rewards take form as a result of burdensome hardship.