The aid of Hildebrand in behalf of William's claims was obtained at
once by Lanfranc. The profound Archdeacon of Rome saw at a glance the
immense power that would accrue to the Church by the mere act of
arrogating to itself the disposition of crowns, subjecting rival
princes to abide by its decision, and fixing the men of its choice on
the thrones of the North. Despite all its slavish superstition, the
Saxon Church was obnoxious to Rome. Even the pious Edward had
offended, by withholding the old levy of Peter Pence; and simony, a
crime peculiarly reprobated by the pontiff, was notorious in England.
Therefore there was much to aid Hildebrand in the Assembly of the
Cardinals, when he brought before them the oath of Harold, the
violation of the sacred relics, and demanded that the pious Normans,
true friends to the Roman Church, should be permitted to Christianise
the barbarous Saxons [237], and William he nominated as heir to a
throne promised to him by Edward, and forfeited by the perjury of
Harold. Nevertheless, to the honour of that assembly, and of man,
there was a holy opposition to this wholesale barter of human rights--
this sanction of an armed onslaught on a Christian people. "It is
infamous," said the good, "to authorise homicide." But Hildebrand was
all-powerful, and prevailed.

William was at high feast with his barons when Lanfranc dismounted at
his gates and entered his hall.

"Hail to thee, King of England!" he said. "I bring the bull that
excommunicates Harold and his adherents; I bring to thee the gift of
the Roman Church, the land and royalty of England. I bring to thee
the gonfanon hallowed by the heir of the Apostle, and the very ring
that contains the precious relic of the Apostle himself! Now who will