The order was executed; and Lanfranc set out, mounted on a sorry little horse given him, no doubt, by the abbey.

By what chance is not known, but probably on a hunting-party, his favorite diversion, William, with his retinue, happened to cross the road which Lanfranc was slowly pursuing.

"My lord," said the monk, addressing him, "I am obeying your orders; I am going away, but my horse is a sorry beast; if you will give me a better one, I will go faster." William halted, entered into conversation with Lanfranc, let him stay, and sent him back with a present to his abbey.
A little while afterwards Lanfranc was at Rome, and defended before Pope Victor II.

William's marriage with Matilda: he was successful, and the pope took off the veto on the sole condition that the couple, in sign of penitence, should each found a religious house.

Matilda, accordingly, founded at Caen, for women, the abbey of the Holy Trinity; and William, for men, that of St.Stephen.