Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

146 HENRY BEAUCLERC.
to Canterbury. The question of investiture had
been settled by earth's highest authority, simplifying
the dispute for Catholic posterity, but involving
much persecution for the time on those who held
responsible posts and were engaged in the strife.
St. Anselm, then, did but exchange his warfare. If
he had fought with one of the most corrupt monarchs
of the dav, " and seen him descend unhonoured and
unloved into a premature grave, he was now called
upon to contend with different artifices : a polished
scholar of fair exterior and genuine convictions, who
still had the same pretensions over the spiritual power
as his father and brother-such was the successor of
William Rufus. If men turn to God when they
are in sorrow, so do sovereigns call in the Church
to the rescue of their tottering crowns.
"By the extraordinary promptitude and energy
which Henry Beauclerc displayed on his brother's
death, he succeeded in having himself hastily
crowned ; but there were many turbulent elements
"
which made the presence and support of the Primate
necessary, in order to establish him in his regal
power. Duke Bobert of Normandy, and the evil produced
by the feudal system-subjects who were too
independent of their liege lord-were formidable
enemies. Henry, therefore, wrote an eager letter to
Anselm, calling him " dearest father," and beseeching
him to return with all speed for the good of his own
royal person. If, indeed, the wrongs which Anselm
had exposed to the Holy See were most grievous,