[363] The foundation-charter, dated July 14, 1128, is in Hiret, _Antiquitez d’Anjou_, pp. 100, 101. The whole history of the church is fully discussed by M. d’Espinay, in the _Revue Historique de l’Anjou_, vol. xii. (1874), pp. 49–64, 143–155. A grotesque legend, which yet has a somewhat characteristic ring, was told of the origin of this nunnery. Fulk one day, watching a potter at his work, was seized with a desire to try his hand. He succeeded in producing a well-shaped pan, which he carried home in triumph and gave to his wife, telling her that it was made by the man whom she loved best. Hildegard, mistaking the jest for a serious charge, vowed to disprove it at once by undergoing the ordeal of water, and flung herself out of the window and into the river, before her husband could stop her. The spot where she came to land was marked by the abbey of our Lady (_Revue hist. de l’Anjou_, as above, pp. 54, 55, and note 1; Marchegay, _Eglises_, p. 279 note.) Its later name of “Ronceray” was derived from a bramble-bush (_ronce_) which forced its way through the pavement of the choir, despite all attempts to uproot it. This however was in the sixteenth century. [364] _Gesta Cons._ (Marchegay, _Comtes_), p. 101. See note C at end of chapter. [365] Will. Malm. _Gesta Reg._, l. iii. c. 235 (Hardy, pp. 401, 402). [366] _Gesta Cons._ (Marchegay, _Comtes_), p. 116. [367] _Gesta Amb. Domin._ (_ibid._), p. 168. [368] _Ibid._ Strangely, yet characteristically, that final blow Fulk left to be struck by his successor. As his life drew to its close the ghostly terrors of his youth came back to him with redoubled force; and the world which had marvelled at his exploits and his crimes marvelled no less at his last penance. For the fourth time he went out to Jerusalem, and there caused two servants, bound by an oath to do whatsoever he should bid them, to drag him round the Holy City in the sight of all the Turks, one holding him by a halter round his neck, the other scourging his naked back, while he cried aloud for Heaven’s mercy on his soul as a perjured and miserable sinner.[369] He made his way homeward as far as Metz.[370] There, on June 21st, 1040, the Black Count’s soul passed away;[371] and his body was embalmed, carried home to Beaulieu, and buried in the chapter-house of the abbey which had been the monument of his earliest pilgrimage, the first-fruits of his youthful devotion and daring.[372] [369] Will. Malm. _Gesta Reg._, l. iii. c. 235 (Hardy, p. 402).