If William was "stark" to rebel and baron, men noted that he was "mild to those that loved God." [Sidenote: William and feudalism] But the greatness of the Conqueror was seen in more than the order and peace which he imposed upon the land.

Fortune had given him one of the greatest opportunities ever offered to a king of stamping his own genius on the destinies of a people; and it is the way in which he seized on this opportunity which has set William among the foremost statesmen of the world.

The struggle which ended in the fens of Ely had wholly changed his position.

He no longer held the land merely as its national and elected King.

To his elective right he added the right of conquest.