It was only when he passed from his palace to the loneliness of the woods that the King's temper unbent.

"He loved the wild deer as though he had been their father." [Sidenote: His rule] It was the genius of William which lifted him out of this mere northman into a great general and a great statesman.

The wary strategy of his French campaigns, the organization of his attack upon England, the victory at Senlac, the quick resource, the steady perseverance which achieved the Conquest showed the wide range of his generalship.

His political ability had shown itself from the first moment of his accession to the ducal throne.

William had the instinct of government.