Astrologers resided with the families of the barons. People went
to fortune tellers' shops. There was horse racing, steeple races,
and chess for recreation. Girls had dolls; boys had toy soldiers,
spinning tops, toy horses, ships, and wooden models.
The state of medicine is indicated by this medical advice brought
to the nation by William's son after treatment on the continent:
"If thou would have health and vigor Shun cares and avoid anger.
Be temperate in eating And in the use of wine. After a heavy meal
Rise and take the air Sleep not with an overloaded stomach And
above all thou must Respond to Nature when she calls."
The Conquerer allowed Jewish traders to follow him from Normandy
and settle in separate sections of the main towns. Then engaged in
long-distance trade, money-changing, and money-lending. They
loaned money for interest for the building of castles and
cathedrals. Christians were not allowed by the church to engage in
this usury. The Jews could not become citizens nor could they have
standing in the local courts. Instead, a royal justiciar secured
justice for them. They could practice their own religion.
William the Conquerer was succeeded as king by his son William II
(Rufus), who transgressed many of the customs of the nation to get
more money for himself. He was killed by an arrow of a fellow
hunter while they and William's younger brother Henry were hunting
together in a crown forest.
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