THE SCENE: Military might and extensive land holdings were not the only means of exercising power and influence in the medieval world, as is demonstrated by this anecdote about an archbishop who brought William the Conqueror to his knees.
THE TEXT: In the year one thousand and sixty-six from the fullness of time, in which the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us, William, surnamed the Bastard, duke of Normandy, either through a lawless desire of dominion, or a yearning to avenge the injuries which he had received, waged war against Harold, king of England. The latter falling by the chance of battle, and the English being defeated and subdued, William united the kingdom of England to the duchy of Normandy.
On the completion of his victory — as he abominated the name of an usurper, and was anxious to assume the character of a legitimate sovereign — he commanded Stigand, at that time archbishop of Canterbury, to consecrate him king in due form. This prelate, however, would not by any means consent to lay hand’s on a man who, to use his own expression, was stained with blood, and the invader of another’s right. But Aldred, archbishop of York, a worthy and prudent man, wisely foreseeing the necessity of yielding to the times, and observing that God’s appointment was not to be resisted, performed the office of consecration. By these means he conciliated William, who was still breathing threatenings and slaughter against the people, and bound him by a sacred oath to preserve and defend the civil and ecclesiastical government.
After this, he regarded Aldred in such a parental light, that although he governed others, yet he calmly suffered himself to be ruled by him. Once, indeed, it happened that this pontiff, meeting with a repulse from the king relative to some petition which he had urged, angrily turned his back in retiring, and threatened him with a curse instead of a blessing. The king, unable to bear his displeasure, fell at his feet, entreating forgiveness, and promising amendment; and when the nobles, who stood by, besought the bishop to raise the prostrate monarch, he replied, “Let him lie at the feet of Peter.” This circumstance plainly indicates the high respect which this ferocious prince entertained for the prelate, as well as the authority, aid ascendancy which Aldred possessed over him.
– History of English Affairs, William of Newburgh, 12th Century AD
