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what was not meant for your ears?’
    â€˜I thought if I was to be like you, I should know everything.’
    It was an answer which did not displease the Duke.
    He never ceased to marvel at the intelligence of this boy, who was moreover strong and sturdy. He delighted in him.
    â€˜You did well,’ he said. ‘You have to learn more quickly than other boys. Did you know that?’
    â€˜Yes, Father.’
    â€˜Why must you?’
    â€˜Because you are my father and everything you have must be of the best.’
    â€˜A good answer, son. Can you shoot an arrow far?’
    â€˜Farther than Guy.’
    â€˜And you can ride faster?’
    â€˜Yes, Father.’
    â€˜And your lessons?’
    William hesitated. ‘Has Uncle Mauger spoken to you?’ he asked.
    The Duke laughed. ‘Not yet,’ he said. ‘Am I to be disappointed in that field?’
    â€˜I like not to be within stone walls.’
    â€˜Nay, ’tis natural. But these things must be mastered, myson. You will have need of all you can learn. That you will understand as you grow older. You will need a strong arm to protect your mother.’
    â€˜You will do that.’
    â€˜But if I were not here.’
    â€˜But you will always be here.’
    The Duke looked sadly at his son. ‘If I should not be I should like to leave her in your charge. Will you swear to me always to protect her?’
    â€˜Father, I swear.’
    â€˜So you need a strong arm and a good head. The out of doors will give you one but for the other you need all you can learn from Uncle Mauger.’
    â€˜Then, Father, I will work hard at my books.’
    â€˜It will please me if you make as good progress with them as you do in aught else. Remember though, it is a good Norman’s duty to defend his land at all costs.’
    â€˜I know it, Father.’
    â€˜Has Mauger taught of the history of Normandy?’
    William’s eyes shone. He talked of Rollo – great Rollo, the Giant Walker, the hero who must walk because no horse was strong enough to carry him.
    â€˜But a ship was,’ cried William, ‘and by God’s grace he came to Normandy. He sailed his ship up the Seine as far as it would go, and the King of France sat shivering on his throne . . .’
    The Duke laughed. ‘So Mauger has told you that, has he?’
    â€˜My mother tells me. She sings the old Norse songs to. me and so do many of the women.’
    â€˜Never forget, my son, that you belong to that great race who settled here and founded Normandy.’
    â€˜Never shall I!’ declared William.
    â€˜You are of a tender age as yet, my son, but as you have learned you cannot dally long in childhood. A boy such as you must learn not only of his homeland but of those countries surrounding it. What know you of France, my son?’
    â€˜France?’ said the boy puzzled. ‘My mother told me that the King of France would have great Rollo kiss his foot and that this Rollo refused to do. So he bade one of his henchmen do itfor him and this man, being a good Norman who kisses the feet of none but his Duke, lifted his foot so high that the King fell backwards.’ William laughed. ‘It was a goodly thing to do,’ he added.
    The Duke was silent. ‘You must understand this, William. We are in a measure vassals of the King of France.’
    â€˜Could Normandy be the vassal of any?’
    The Duke smiled. ‘My son, I would you were five years older. This small head has much to learn.’
    â€˜It is a good head, Father, and eager to learn.’
    â€˜I doubt it not. The King of France is powerful. He granted us this land and it is well for us to live in good friendship with him. If he called on us to help him and his cause were just, we should do so.’
    â€˜But only if his cause were just.’
    â€˜And to the good of Normandy.’
    â€˜Yes, Father. I understand that.’
    â€˜King Robert of France is a