The meaning _may_ be that the reigning count of Flanders was requested to come to William _with_ the latter's brother-in-law, i.e. bringing with him his, the then count's, son. But the succeeding speech of the varlet directly addresses the count as himself the brother-in-law; and most likely the sentence is elliptic, and what is meant is, that the count should come _to_ him, and go on the expedition _with_ him, as with a brother-in-law and friend. If this, however, be Wace's meaning, he is historically wrong; as Baldwin V. William's father-in-law, did not die till the succeeding year; and the application, therefore, must have been to him, not to the brother-in-law, afterwards Baldwin VI. Wace's account of the count's feelings and conduct is at variance with the received historical opinion, that he assisted William zealously; particularly by using his influence in restraining any opposition from the young French king his ward. According to Sismondi, however, Baldwin did not interfere in French affairs; and the course pursued by the king does not appear to have been friendly, but as hostile as the weakness attendant on a minority allowed. As to the policy of the court of Flanders, a variance in the accounts may possibly have arisen from confusion between the different counts, who succeeded each other quickly, and perhaps had opposite views: so that what is said by historians as to William's transactions with Baldwin V. may apply to a later period and another person. Though there were many adventurers from Flanders in William's service, we are not aware of any decisive proof that the count avowedly sent a force to aid the expedition in 1066. Gilbert de Gant is not heard of before 1069. He and such captains as Gherbod of Chester, Walter Flandrensis and Drogo de Bevrere may have been only volunteers, assisting for personal rewards. It may be added that Wace's account of the course pursued by France and Flanders is at any rate consistent; and it is probable, as being dictated by motives of obvious policy.] [Footnote 13: Or page.] [Footnote 14: See Wace's account of the gonfanons, devices, shields, &c. at the battle of Valdesdunes.] [Footnote 15: Another MS. reads 'une des _denz_ Saint Pierre.' _Benoit de Sainte-More_ says of the pope, A Rome ert done Pape Alixandre Jusz hoem, saintismes e verais. See his report concerning the apostolic grant in our appendix.] [Footnote 16: Wace's words, of which we believe we give the meaning, are, Asez vi homes ki la virent, Ki ainz e poiz lunges veskirent.] [Footnote 17: The original passage, and the parallel accounts in _Benoit de Sainte-More_ and _Gaimar_, will be found in our appendix.] [Illustration] CHAPTER XI. HOW THE NORMAN HOST MET AT ST. VALERY, AND SAILED THENCE.