WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. 365

new laws , by which he prohibited all his subjectsfrom hunting in any of his forests, and renderedthe penalties more severe than ever had beeninflicted for such offences. The killing of a deeror boar, or even a hare, was punished withthe loss of the delinquent’s eyes; and that at atime, when the killing of a man could be atonedfor by paying a moderate fine or composition.

The transactions, recorded during the remain-der of this reign, may be considered more asdomestic occurrences, which concern the prince,than as national events, which regard England.Odo, bishop of Baieux, the king’s uterine bro-ther, whom he had created earl of Kent, andentrusted with a great share of power during hiswhole reign, had amassed immense riches; andagreeably to the usual progress of human wishes,he began to regard his present acquisitions butas a step to farther grandeur. He had formed thechimerical project of buying the papacy; andthough Gregory, the reigning pope, was notof advanced years, the prelate had confided somuch in the predictions of an astrologer, thathe reckoned upon the pontiff’s death, and uponattaining, by his own intrigues and money , thatenvied state of greatness. Resolving, therefore, toremit all his riches to Italy, he had persuadedmany considerable barons, and among the rest,, Hugh earl of Chester, to take the same course;in hopes, that, when he should mount the pa-pal throne, he would bestow on them moreconsiderable establishments in that country. The

HAP

IV.

1081.