WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. 345

his affairs, had prompted him to stretch his c H A Pauthority over the Normans themselves beyond iv.what the free genius of that victorious people - 1074-

could easily bear. The discontents were becomegeneral among those haughty nobles; and evenRoger, earl of Hereford, son and heir of Fitz-Ofberne, the king’s chief favourite , was stronglyinfected with them. This nobleman, intendingto marry his sister to Ralph de Guader, earl ofNorfolk, had thought it his duty to inform theking of his purpose, and to desire the royalconsent; but meeting with a refusal, he proceedednevertheless to complete the nuptials , andassembled all his friends, and those of Guader*to attend the solemnity. The two earls, disgustedby the denial of their request , and dreadingWilliam’s resentment for their disobedience, hereprepared measures for a revolt; and during thegaiety of the festival, while the company washeated with wine , they opened the design to theirguests. They inveighed against the arbitraryconduct of the king; his tyranny over the English,whom they affected on this occasion to commi-serate; his imperious behaviour to his barons ofthe noblest birth; and his apparent intention ofreducing the victors and the vanquished to a likeignominious servitude. Amidst their complaints,the indignity of submitting to a bastard 67 was

7 William was so little ashamed of his birth, that heassumed the appellation of Bastard in some of his lettersand charters. Spellm. Gloss, in verb. Bajlardus, Cajnden inIiicbmondsbire,