The Duke was not to be moved from his resolution, which appeared but the more meritorious from the difficulties which attended it.

He presented to the states William, then an infant, born of an obscure woman, whom, notwithstanding, he doubted not to be his son; him he appointed to succeed; him he recommended to their virtue and loyalty; and then, solemnly resigning the government in his favor, he departed on the pilgrimage, from whence he never returned.

The states, hesitating some time between, the mischiefs that attend the allowing an illegitimate succession, and those which might arise from admitting foreign pretensions, thought the former the least prejudicial, and accordingly swore allegiance to William.

But this oath was not sufficient to establish a right so doubtful.

The Dukes of Burgundy and Brittany, as well as several Norman noblemen, had specious titles.