Part 13

Whilest the King did thus Immure himselfe in the state of _England_, as well by ordering his affaires, as by winning the hearts of the people vnto him, Duke _Robert_ was returning from _Palestine_, by easie and pleasurable iourneys; vsing neither the celeritie nor forecast which the necessitie of his occasions did require. Hee visited many Princes by the way, and consumed much time in entertainments and other complements of Court. Hee tooke to wife as he came _Sibell_ the daughter of _Roger_ Duke of _Apulia_ and Earle of _Cicill_, who was a _Norman_: and the great portion of money which he receiued for her dower, he loosely lauished foorth amongst his followers; of whom he receiued nothing againe, but thankes when he (scattered rather then) gaue, and pitie when he wanted.

At the last he arriued in _Normandie_, and foorthwith was sollicited out of _England_ by letters from many, who either vpon conscience or discontentment fauoured his Title; and especially from _Radulph_ Bishop of _Durham_, who had lately escaped out of prison, a man odious ynough to vndoe a good cause; that he would omit no time, that hee would let fall no diligence, to embarke himselfe in the enterprise for _England_: that he had many friends there, both powerfull and sure, who would partake with him in his dangers, although not in the honour atchieued by his dangers: that therewith the peoples fauour towards the King did begin to ebbe, and that it was good taking the first of the tide. Hereupon he shuffled vp an Armie in haste; neither for number, nor furniture, nor choise of men answerable to the enterprise in hand. Then he crossed the Seas, landed at _Portesmouth_, and marched a small way into the Countrey; vainely expecting the concourse and ayd which had bene assured him out of _England_. But King _Henry_ had made so good vse both of his warning and time to prouide against this tempest, that hee did at once both cut from the Duke all meanes of ayd, and was ready to encounter him in braue appointment. Hereupon many who were vnable by Armes to relieue the Duke, by aduise did to him the best offices they could. For they laboured both the King and him to a reconcilement; The King with respect of his new vnsettled estate, the Duke with respect of his weakenesses and wants; both with regard of naturall duetie and loue, knit betweene them by band of blood. So after some trauaile and debatement, a peace was concluded vpon these Conditions.

_That Henry should reteine the kingdome of England, and pay to his brother Robert 3000. markes yeerely._

_That if either of them should die without issue, the suruiuour should succeed._

_That no man should receiue preiudice for following the part of the one or of the other._

These conditions being solemnely sworne by the king and the Duke, and twelue Noble men on either part, the Duke returned into _Normandie_, and about two yeeres after went againe into _England_, to visit the King, and to spend some time with him in feasting and disport. At which time, to requite the Kings kind vsage and entertainment, but especially to gratifie _Matild_ the Queene, to whom he was godfather, he released to the King the annuall payment of 3000. markes. But as a wound is more painefull the day following, then when it was first and freshly taken; so this loose leuitie of the Duke, which was an exceeding sad and sore blow to his estate, was scarce sensible at his departure out of _England_, but most grieuous to him after hee had remained in _Normandie_ a while: whereby many motions were occasioned, as well in the one place as in the other.

The Duke complained, that hee had bene circumuented by his brother the King: that his courtesies were nothing else but allurements to mischiefe; that his gifts were pleasant baites, to couer and conuey most dangerous hookes; that his faire speaches were sugred poysons; that his kinde embracements were euen to tickle his friends to death. _Robert Belasme_ Earle of _Shrewsbury_, a man of great estate, but doubtfull whether of lesse wisedome or feare, tooke part with the Duke, and fortified the Towne and Castle of _Shrewsbury_, the Castles of _Bridgenorth_, _Tichel_, and _Arundel_, and certaine other pieces in _Wales_ against King _Henry_. And hauing drawen vnto him some persons of wretched state and worse minde, whose fortunes could not bee empaired by any euent, hee entred _Stafford shire_, and droue away light booties of cattell; being prepared neither in forces nor in courage, to stay the doing of greater mischiefe.

But neither was this sudden to the King, neither was he euer vnprouided against sudden aduentures. Wherefore encountring the danger before it grew to perfection and strength, he first brought his power against the Castle of _Bridgenorth_, which was forthwith rendred vnto him. The residue followed the example (which in enterprise of armes is of greatest moment) and submitted themselues to the Kings discretion. Onely the Castle of _Arundel_ yeelded vpon condition, that _Robert Belasme_ their Lord should be permitted to depart safely into _Normandie_: And vpon the same condition they of _Shrewsbury_ sent to the King the keys of their Castle, and therewith pledges for their allegeance. Then _Robert_ with his brother _Ernulphus_, and _Roger_ of _Poictiers_ abiured the Realme, and departed into _Normandie_: where being full of rashnesse, which is nothing but courage out of his wits; and measuring their actions not by their abilities, but by their desires; they did more aduance the Kings affaires by hostilitie, then by seruice and subiection they could possibly haue done.

Also _William_ Earle of _Mortaigne_ in _Normandie_, and of _Cornewall_ in _England_, sonne of _Robert_, vncle to the king, and brother to king _William_ the first, required of the King the Earledome of _Kent_, which had been lately held by _Odo_ vncle to them both. And being a man braue in his owne liking, and esteming nothing of that which hee had in regard of that which hee did desire, he was most earnest, violent, peremptorie in his pursuit. Insomuch as, blinded with ambitious haste, he would often say, that hee would not put off his vpper garment, vntill hee had obtained that dignitie of the King. These errours were excused by the greenenesse of his youth, and by his desire of rising, which expelled all feare of a fall. Wherefore the King first deferred, and afterwards moderately denied his demaund. But so farre had the Earle fed his follies with assured expectation, that he accompted himselfe fallen from such estate as his hungry hopes had already swallowed. Hereupon his desire turned to rage, and the one no lesse vaine then the other: but both together casting him from a high degree of fauour, which seldome stoppeth the race vntill it come to a headlong downefall.

For now the King made a counter-challenge to many of his possessions in _England_; and thereupon seazed his lands, dismantled his castles, and compelled him in the end to forsake the Realme. Not for any great offence he had done, being apt to the fault rather of rough rage then of practise and deceit; but his stubborne stoutnesse was his offence; and it was sufficient to hold him guiltie, that he thought himselfe to haue cause and meanes to be guiltie. So hauing lost his owne state in _England_, he departed into _Normandie_, to further also the losse of that countrey. There he confederated with _Robert Belasme_, and made diuers vaine attempts against the Kings castles; neither guided by wisedome, nor followed by successe. Especially hee vented his furie against _Richard_ Earle of _Chester_, who was but a childe, and in wardship to the King, whom he daily infested with inuasions and spoiles; being no lesse full of desire to hurt, then voyd of counsaile and meanes to hurt.

On the other side, diuers of the Nobilitie of _Normandie_, finding their Duke without iudgement to rule, had no disposition to obey; but conceiued a carelesse contempt against him. For he seemed not so much to regard his substantiall good, as a vaine breath of praise, and the fruitlesse fauour of mens opinions, which are no fewer in varietie then they are in number. All the reuenues of his Duchie he either sold or morgaged; all his Cities he did alien, and was vpon the point of passing away his principall Citie of _Roan_ to the Burgers thereof, but that the conditions were esteemed too hard. Hereupon many resolued to fall from him, and to set their sailes with the fauourable gale which blew vpon the fortune of the King. To this end they offered their submission to the King, in case he would inuade _Normandie_; whereto with many reasons they did perswade him: especially in regard of the late hostile attempts there made against him, by the plaine permission of the Duke his brother, and not without his secret support.

The King embraced the faire occasion, and with a strong Armie passed into _Normandie_. Here he first relieued his forts, which were any wayes distressed or annoyed; then he recouered those that were lost; Lastly, he wanne from the Duke the towne and castle of _Caen_, with certaine other castles besides: And by the help of the President of _Aniou_, fired _Baion_, with the stately Church of S. _Marie_ therein. Vpon these euents, all the Priories of _Normandie_, resembling certaine flowers, which open and close according to the rising or declining of the Sunne; abandoned the Duke, and made their submission to King _Henry_. So the King hauing both enlarged and assured his state in _Normandie_, by reason of the approch of winter, departed into _England_: but this was like the recuiling of Rammes, to returne againe with the greater strength.

He had not long remained in _England_, but his brother _Robert_ came to him at _Northampton_, to treat of some agreement of peace. Here the words and behauiours of both were obserued. At their first meeting they rested with their eyes fast fixed one vpon the other; in such sort as did plainely declare, that discourtesie then trencheth most deep, when it is betweene those who should most dearely loue. The Duke was in demaunds moderate, in countenance and speech enclined to submisnesse; and with a kinde vnkindnesse did rather entreate then perswade, that in regard of the naturall Obligation betweene them by blood, in regard of many offices and benefits wherewith he had endeuoured to purchase the Kings loue, all hostilitie betweene them, all iniurie or extremitie by Armes might cease. _For I call you_ (said he) _before the Seate of your owne Iudgement, whether the relinquishing of my Title to the Crowne of England, whether the releasing of my annuity of 3000. markes, whether many other kindnesses, so much vndeserued as scarce desired; should not in reason withdraw you from those prosecutions, where warre cannot be made without shame, nor victory attained without dishonour_.

The King vsed him with honourable respect; but perceiuing that he was embarked in some disaduantage, conceiuing also that his courage with his Fortune began to decline, he made resemblance at the first, to be no lesse desirous of peace then the Duke: But afterwards, albeit he did not directly deny, yet hee found euasions to auoyd all offers of agreement.

The more desirous the Duke was of peace, the greater was his disdaine that his brother did refuse it. Wherefore cleering his countenance from all shewes of deiection or griefe, as then chiefly resolute when his passion was stirred, with a voice rather violent then quicke, he rose into these words.

_I haue cast my selfe so low, as your haughty heart can possibly wish; whereby I haue wronged both my selfe and you: my selfe, in occasioning some suspition of weakenesse; you, in making you obstinate in your ambitious purposes. But assure your selfe, that this desire did not proceed from want either of courage, or of meanes, or of assistance of friends: I can also be both vnthankefull and vnnaturall if I bee compelled. And if all other supportance faile, yet no arme is to be esteemed weake, which striketh with the sword of necessitie and Iustice._

The King with a well appeased stayednesse returned answere; that he could easily endure the iniurie of his angry wordes: but to men of moderate iudgement hee would make it appeare, that hee entended no more in offending him, then to prouide for defending himselfe. So the Duke obseruing few complements, but such as were spiced with anger and disdaine, returned into _Normandie_, associated to him the _English_ exiles, and made preparation for his defence.

The King followed with a great power, and found him in good appointment of armes: nothing inferiour to the King in resolute courage, but farre inferiour both in number of men, and in fine contriuance of his affaires. For the King had purchased assured intelligence, among those that were neerest both in place and counsaile to the Duke: in whom the Duke found treacherie, euen when he reposed most confident trust. Herewith Pope _Paschal_, to attaine his purpose in _England_, for deuesting the King of inuesting Bishops; did not onely allow this enterprise for lawful, but encouraged the King, that hee should doe thereby a noble and a memorable benefit to his Realme.

So, many stiffe battels were executed betweene them, with small difference of aduantage at the first; but after some continuance, the Dukes side (as it commonly happeneth to euill managed courage) declined dayly, by reason of his dayly increase of wants. At the last the Duke, wearied and ouerlayed, both with company of men and cunning working, resolued to bring his whole state to the stake, and to aduenture the same vpon one cast: committing to Fortune, what valour and industry could bring forth. The king being the Inuader, thought it not his part to shrinke from the shocke; being also aduertised that the _French_ King prepared to relieue the Duke. On the Dukes side, disdaine, rage, and reuenge, attended vpon hate: the King retained inuincible valour, assured hope to ouercome, grounded vpon experience how to ouercome.

They met vpon the same day of the moneth iust 40. yeeres, after the great battaile of _William_ the first against King _Harold_ of _England_. The Kings footemen farre exceeding their enemies in number, began the charge, in small and scattering troupes; lightly assayling where they could espie the weakest resistance. But the Dukes Armie receiued them in close and firme order; so as vpon the losse of many of the foremost, the residue began somewhat to retire. And now, whether the Duke had cause, or whether confidence the inseparable companion of courage perswaded him that he had cause; he supposed that hee had the best of the field, and that the victory was euen in his hand. But suddenly the King with his whole forces of horse charged him in flanke, and with great violence brake into his battaile. Herewith the footmen also returned, and turned them all to a ruinous rout. The Duke performed admirable effects of valour, and so did most of the _English_ exiles: as fearing ouerthrow worse then death. But no courage was sufficient to sustaine the disorder; the _Normans_ on euery hand were chased, ruffled, and beaten downe. Hereupon the Dukes courage boyling in choller, hee doubled many blowes vpon his enemies; more furiously driuen, then well placed and set: and pressing vp hardly among them, was suddenly engaged so farre, that hee could not possibly recouer himselfe. So he was taken manfully fighting, or as some other authours affirme, was beastly betrayed by his owne followers. With him were also taken the Earle of _Mortaigne_, _William Crispine_, _William Ferreis_, _Robert Estotiuill_, with foure hundred men of armes, and ten thousand ordinary souldiers. The number of the slaine on both sides, is not reported by any authour; but all authours agree, that this was the most bloody medly that euer had been executed in _Normandie_ before: portended as it is thought by a Comet, and by two full Moones, which late before were seene, the one in the East, and the other in the West.

After this victorie the King reduced _Normandie_ entirely into his possession, and annexed it to the Realme of _England_. Then hee built therein many Castles, and planted garrisons; and with no lesse wisedome assured that State, then with valour he had wonne it. When he had setled all things according to his iudgement, he returned into _England_, brought with him his brother _Robert_, and committed him to safe custodie in the Castle of _Cardiff_. But either by reason of his fauourable restraint, or else by negligence or corruption of his keepers, he escaped away, and fled for his libertie as if it had been for his life. Notwithstanding this proued but a false fauour, or rather a true flatterie or scorne of Fortune. For being sharply pursued, he was taken againe, sitting vpon horsebacke; his horse legs fast locked in deep & tough clay.

Then hee was committed to straight and close prison, his eyes put out (as if hee should not see his miserie) and a sure guard set vpon him. Thus he remained in desolate darkenesse; neither reuerenced by any for his former greatnesse, not pitied for his present distresse. Thus hee continued about 27. yeeres, in a life farre more grieuous then death; euen vntill the yere before the death of King _Henrie_. So long was he a suitor in wooing of death: so long did the one brother ouerliue his good fortune, the other his good nature and disposition; esteeming it a faire fauour, that the vttermost extremitie was not inflicted. Albeit some writers doe affirme, that the Dukes eyes were not violently put out, but that either through age or infirmitie he fell blind: that he was honourably attended and cared for: that hauing digested in his iudgement the worst of his case, the greatnesse of his courage did neuer descend to any base degree of sorrow or griefe: that his braue behauiour did set a Maiestie vpon his deiected fortunes: that his noble heart like the Sunne, did shew greatest countenance in lowest state. And to this report I am the more inclineable, for that it agreeth best, both to the faire conditions, and to the former behauiours, and to the succeeding fortunes and felicities of the King: For assuredly hee had a heart of manly clemencie; and this was a punishment barbarously cruell: For which cause _Constantine_[103] did forbid, that the face of man, adorned with Celestiall beauty, should be deformed for any offence.

Others auow that he was neuer blind; but that it was the Earle of _Mortaigne_ whose eyes were put out. And this seemeth to be confirmed, by that which _Matth. Paris_ and _Matth. Westm._ doe report. That not long before the death of _Robert_, the King vpon a festiuall day had a new robe of Scarlet brought vnto him: the cape whereof being somewhat too streight for his head, he did teare a little in striuing to put it on. And perceiuing that it would not serue, hee laid it aside and said: _Let my brother Robert haue this Robe, for whose head it is fitter then for mine_. When it was caried vnto him, being then not perfectly in health, he espied the crackt place, and thereupon enquired, if any man had worne it before? The messenger declared the whole matter. Which when _Robert_ heard, he tooke it for a great indignitie, and said: _I perceiue now that I haue liued too long, that my brother doth clothe me like his almoseman, with cast and torne garments_. So hee grew weary of his life: and his disease encreasing with his discontentment, pined away, and in short time after died, and was buried at _Glocester_.

And this was the end of that excellent commander; brought to this game and gaze of fortune, after many trauerses that he had troden. He was for courage and direction inferiour to none; but neither prouident nor constant in his affaires, whereby the true end of his actions were ouerthrowen. His valour had triumphed ouer desperate dangers: and verely he was no more setled in valour, then disposed to vertue and goodnesse; neuer wilfully or willingly doing euill, neuer but by errour, as finding it disguised vnder some maske of goodnesse. His performances in armes had raised him to a high point of opinion for his prowesse; which made him the more vnhappy, as vnhappie after a fall from high state of honor. He had one sonne named _William_, vpon whose birth the mother died: of this _William_ shall somewhat hereafter be said.

And now, as Princes oftentimes doe make aduantage of the calamity of their neighbours, so vpon this downefall of the Duke of _Normandie_,[104] _Fulke_ Earle of _Aniou_ sharing for himselfe, seized vpon _Maine_, and certain other places; made large waste, tooke great booties and spoyles; not onely out of ancient and almost hereditary hate against the house of _Normandie_, but as fearing harme from the King of _England_, hee endeauoured to harme him first. In like sort _Baldwine_ Earle of _Flanders_ declared in armes against the King for a yeerely pension of 300. markes; the occasion of which demand was this. King _William_ the first, in recompence of the ayde which he receiued in his enterprise for _England_, from _Baldwine_ 5. Earle of _Flanders_, payd him yeerely three hundred markes, which after his death was continued to his sonne. _Robert_ Earle of _Flanders_ from a collaterall line, demanded the same Pension; but it was denied him by K. _Henrie_: wherefore _Baldwine_ his sonne attempted now to recouer it by Armes.

With these, or rather as principall of these, _Lewes_ the grosse King of _France_, seeing his ouersight in permitting _Normandie_ to bee annexed to the Realme of _England_, assembled a great armie; and vpon pretence of a trifling quarrell about the demolishing of the Castle of _Gisors_, declared _William_ sonne to _Robert Curtcuise_ for Duke of _Normandie_: and vndertooke to place him in possession of that state, which his vnfortunate father had lost. And besides those open hostilities in Armes, _Hugh_ the kings Chamberlaine and certaine others were suborned traiterously to kill the King: but the practise was in good time discouered, and the conspirators punished by death.

Hereupon the King both with celeritie and power answerable to the danger at hand, passed the Seas into _Normandie_: hauing first drawen to his assistance _Theobald_ Earle of _Champaine_, the Earles of _Crecie_, _Pissaux_, and _Dammartine_, who aspired to be absolute Lords within their territories, as were many other Princes at that time in _France_. These deteined the _French_ King in some tariance in _France_, whilest the King of _England_ either recouered or reuenged his losses against the Earle of _Aniou_. At the last hee was assailed in _Normandie_ on three parts at once: by the Earle of _Aniou_ from _Maine_, from _Ponthieu_ by the Earle of _Flanders_, and by the _French_ King betweene both. The King of _England_ appointed certaine forces to guard the passages against the Earle of _Aniou_: with directions to hold themselues within their strength, and not to aduenture into the field. Against the Earle of _Flanders_ hee went in person; and in a sharpe shocke betweene them the Earle was defeated and hurt, and (as some Authors affirme) slaine: albeit others doe report, that hee was afterwards slaine in a battaile betweene the two Kings of _England_ and of _France_.