Read "Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings Book II: Lanfranc the Scholar" by Edward Bulwer-lytton online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
"And now," said William, reclining on a long and narrow couch, with raised carved work all round it like a box (the approved fashion of a bed in those days), "now, Sire Taillefer -- thy news."
There were then in the Duke's chamber, the Count Fitzosborne, Lord of Breteuil, surnamed "the Proud Spirit" -- who, with great dignity, was holding before the brazier the ample tunic of linen (called dormitorium in the Latin of that time, and night-rail in the Saxon tongue) in which his lord was to robe his formidable limbs for repose [62], -- Taillefer, who stood erect before the Duke as a Roman sentry at his post, -- and the ecclesiastic, a little apart, with arms gathered under his gown, and his bright dark eyes fixed on the ground.