CHAPTER XV .-- --CONQUEST OF ENGLAND BY THE NORMANS.
At the beginning of the eleventh century, Robert, called "The Magnificent," the fifth in succession from the great chieftain Rollo who had established the Northmen in France, was duke of Normandy.

To the nickname he earned by his nobleness and liberality some chronicles have added another, and call him "Robert the Devil," by reason of his reckless and violent deeds of audacity, whether in private life or in warlike expeditions.

Hence a lively controversy amongst the learned upon the question of deciding to which Robert to apply the latter epithet.

Some persist in assigning it to the duke of Normandy; others seek for some other Robert upon whom to foist it.

However that may be, in 1034 or 1035, after having led a fair life enough from the political point of view, but one full of turbulence and moral irregularity, Duke Robert resolved to undertake, barefooted and staff in hand, a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, "to expiate his sins if God would deign to consent thereto." The Norman prelates and barons, having been summoned around him, conjured him to renounce his plan; for to what troubles and perils would not his dominions be exposed without lord or assured successor?
"By my faith," said Robert, "I will not leave ye lordless.