Contents
Preface
Chapter I
Of how I, Nigel de Bessin, was brought up by the monks of the Vale in Guernsey Island, and how on a certain day the abbot gave me choice of two lives, and which I chose.
Chapter II
Of Vale Castle hard by the Abbey, and how I was sent with a letter to Archbishop Maugher, and by the way first saw the Sarrasin pirates at work.
Chapter III
Of my Lord Maugher and his Familiar Demon. How he received the abbot’s letter, and how I was courteously entertained at his house of Blanchelande.
Chapter IV
Of the coming of the Sarrasins in force, and of the building of their château—Of Brother Hugo’s confidence in God, and how I rang the alarm-bell at St. Pierre Port.
Chapter V
Of what befell the abbot’s envoys to Duke William, our liege lord, and more particularly Brother Ralf, and how we were hemmed in by our foes.
Chapter VI
Of our passing from cloister to castle, and of the burning of Vale Abbey—Of the siege of the castle, and the exploits of Brother Hugo.
Chapter VII
Of Le Grand Sarrasin, and of the renewed attack upon Vale Castle—Of my first deeds of arms, and how the Moors were beaten back.
Chapter VIII
How I was sent forth by my lord abbot to seek protection of Duke William, and of what befell me by the way of the pirates.
Chapter IX
Of our battle on the rocks of Jersey Isle, and how Simon gave up his life, and how I was taken captive and brought back.
Chapter X
How I was brought before Le Grand Sarrasin, and of his magnificence—How I saw Folly in his chamber, and was lodged in a cavern under earth.
Chapter XI
By what means I was delivered from Le Grand Sarrasin, and how I found shelter with the priest of St. Apolline’s. 72
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
How I arrived at St. Malo, and, proceeding to the Abbey of St. Michael de Tombelaine, found friends to set me on my road.
Chapter XIV
How, being given letters to Duke William by the Abbots of St. Michael and of Bec, I set out for Coulances, and of what befell me on my way.
Chapter XV
How I saw an evil face at a casement, and how at my uncle’s house of St. Sauveur I heard tell of my father—And of what happed on our getting forth for Valognes.
Chapter XVI
How, at length I was brought before William, Conquestor Invictissimus, of all soldiers the greatest, and most invincible of dukes—Of the manner he received my mission, and of the expedition of Samson d’Anville.
Chapter XVII
Of the journey of our ships to relieve the Brethren of the Vale, and how we fought a great battle with the Moors outside the Bay of L’Ancresse.
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
How we set forth to attack Le Château du Grand Sarrasin—Of the Normans’ valour, and of the flight of our foes. 128
Chapter XX
Of the sore slaughter in the glen of Moulin Huet, and on the shore, and how Le Grand Sarrasin was slain, and of his secret.
Chapter XXI
Conclusion. How, the above matters being finished, I was made known to my father. 143