Part 9

The publike and open pretenses were these. _Robert_ Duke of _Normandie_ had the prerogatiue of birth; which being a benefit proceeding from nature, could not bee reuersed by his fathers acte. He had also wonne a most honorable reputation for his militarie vertues; and had by many trauels of warre wasted the wilde follies of youth. Hee was no lesse famous for courtesie and liberalitie, two most amiable ornaments of honour; being so desirous that no man should depart discontented from him, that he would oftentimes promise more then hee was able to performe, and yet performe more then his estate could expediently afford. As for K. _William_, besides that he was the yonger brother, his nature was held to be doubtfull and suspect, and the iudgement of most men enclined to the worst. And what are we then aduantaged, (said they) by the death of his father? if whom he hath fleeced, this shall flay; if this shall execute those whom he hath fettered and surely bound; If after his seuerities that are past, wee shall be freshly charged with those rigours, which tyrants in the height and pride of their Fortune are wont to vse? And as stronger combinations are alwayes made betweene men drawne together by one common feare, then betweene those that are ioyned by hope or desire; so vpon these iealousies and feares, accompanied also with vehement desires, the Confederats supposed that they had knit a most assured league.

Now it happened that at the time of the death of _William_ the elder, _Robert_ his eldest sonne was absent in _Almaine_; and at once heard both of the death of his father, and that his brother _William_ was acknowledged to be King. Hereupon in great hast, but greater heat both of anger and ambition, he returned into _Normandie_: and there whilest he was breathing foorth his discontentment and desire of reuenge, he receiued a message from the Confederats in _England_; that with all speed hee should come ouer vnto them, to accomplish the enterprise, to furnish their forces with a head: that they had no want of able bodies; they wanted no meanes to maintaine them together; they wanted onely his person both to countenance and conduct them. The Duke thought it no wisdome, to aduenture himselfe altogether; vpon the fauour and faith of discontented persons: and he had bene so loosely liberall before, that he was vnprouided of money, to appoint himselfe with any competent forces of his owne. Hereupon he pawned a part of _Normandie_ to his brother _Henry_, for waging Souldiers: many also flocked voluntarily vnto him; vpon inducement, that hee who of his owne nature was most liberall & full of humanitie, would not faile both of pay and reward, vnlesse by reason of disabilitie & want.

In the meane time the Confederats resolued to breake forth in Armes, in diuers parts of the Realme at once; vpon conceit, that if the King should endeuour to represse them in one place, they might more easily preuaile in the other. And so accordingly _Odo_ fortified and spoiled in _Kent_; _Geoffrey_ Bishop of _Exceter_, with his nephew _Robert Mowbray_ Earle of _Northumberland_, at _Bristow_; _Roger Montgomerie_ in _Northfolke_, _Suffolke_ and _Cambridgeshire_; _Hugh de Grandemenill_, in _Leicestershire_ and _Northamptonshire_; _William_ Bishop of _Durhame_, in the North parts of the Realme; diuers others of the Clergie and Nobilitie in _Herefordshire_, _Shropshire_, _Worcestershire_, and all the Countreys adioyning to _Wales_. And as in time of pestilence all diseases turne to the plague; so in this generall tumult, all discontentments sorted to Rebellion. Many who were oppressed with violence or with feare; many who were kept lower either by want or disgrace then they had set their mounting minds, adioyned daily to the side, and encreased both the number and the hope. And thus was all the Realme in a ruinous rage against K. _William_, who wanted neither courage to beare, nor wisdome to decline it.

And first hee endeuoured by all meanes to make the _English_ assured vnto him. And albeit few of them were at that time in any great place, either of credite or of charge, but were all wounded by his fathers wrongs; yet for that they were the greatest part, he made the greatest reckoning of them. For this cause hee released many _English_ Lords who had bene committed to custodie by his father. He composed himselfe to courtesie and affabilitie towards the people, and distributed much treasure among them. But especially hee wanne their inclination by promises of great assurance, to restore vnto them their ancient lawes, to ease them of tributes and taxations, and to permit them free libertie of hunting: which being their principall pleasure and exercise before, was either taken away, or much restrained from them by King _William_ the elder. Herewith he applied himselfe to appease the mutinous minds of his Nobilitie, to seuer the Confederats, to breake the faction; to diuide it first, and thereby to defeat it.

To this purpose he dealt with _Roger Montgomerie_, who next vnto _Odo_ was a principall both countenance and strength to the reuolt; he dealt also with diuers others, inferiour vnto him in authority and degree; that he could not coniecture for what cause they were so violent against him: did they want money? His fathers treasure was at their deuotion: desired they encrease of possessions? they should not be otherwise bounded then by their owne desires: that hee would willingly also giue ouer his estate, in case it should be iudged expedient by themselues, whom his father had put in trust to support him: that they should doe wel to foresee, whether by ouerthrowing his fathers iudgement in appointing the kingdome vnto him, they should not doe that which might be preiudiciall to themselues; for the same man who had appointed him to bee King, had also conferred vnto them those honours and possessions which they held. Thus sometimes dealing priuately with particulars, and sometimes with many together, and eftsoones filling them with promises and hopes, and that with such new vehemencie of words as they beleeued could not proceede from dissembled intents; he so preuailed in the end, that hereby, and by example of some inducing the rest, _Roger Montgomerie_ and diuers others were reconciled to the King; in whom was thought to rest no smal matter to hold vp the reputation of the enterprise.

And further, hee prepared a nauie to guard the seas, and to impeach the passage of his brother into _England_. Hee prepared great forces also by meanes of the treasure which his father had left, and disposed them in places conuenient, either to preuent or to represse these scattered tumults. But the successe of his affaires was by no meanes so much aduanced, as by _Lanfranck_ Archbishop of _Canterbury_, and by _Woolstane_ Bishop of _Worcester_: the authority of which two men, the one for his learning, wisedome, and mild moderation, the other for his simple sanctitie and integritie of life, was greatly regarded by all sorts of people. By encouragement of _Woolstane_ not onely the citie of _Worcester_ was maintained in firme condition for the King, but his enemies receiued there a famous foyle; the greatest part being slaine, and the residue dispersed. This was the first sad blow which the confederates tooke; afterward they declined mainely, and the King as mainly did increase.

The King in person led his chiefe forces into _Kent_, against _Odo_ his vncle, the principall firebrand of all this flame. Hee tooke there the castle of _Tunbridge_ and of _Pemsey_, which _Odo_ had fortified; and lastly hee besieged _Odo_ himselfe in the castle of _Rochester_, and with much trauell tooke him prisoner, and compelled him to abiure the Realme. Vpon these euents, the Bishop of _Durham_, aduising onely with feare and despaire, fled out of the Realme; but after three yeeres he was againe restored to the dignitie of his Sea. The residue did submit themselues to the Kings discretion; and were by him receiued, all to pardon, some to gracious and deare account. For in offences of so high nature, pardon neuer sufficeth to assure offenders, vnlesse by further benefits their loyaltie bee bound.

_Robert_ Duke of _Normandy_ was busied all this time, in making preparation for his iourney into _England_: but his delayes much abated the affections of those who fauoured either his person or cause. At the length, hauing made vp a competent power, he committed to sea; where, his infelicities concurring with his negligence, diuers of his ships which he had sent somewhat before him, to assure the confederats of his approach, were set vpon and surprised by the nauie of King _William_. After this hee arriued in _England_, sent vnto many of his secret friends, and made his comming knowen vnto all: but no man resorted to him, he receiued no aduertisement from any man; but plainely found, that by the fortunate celeritie of King _William_, the heart of the conspiracie in all places was broken. So the Duke returned into _Normandie_, hauing then good leisure, to looke into the errour of his leisurely proceedings.

When the King had in this sort either wisely reconciled, or valiantly repressed his domesticall enemies; because an vnperfect victory is alwayes the seede of a new warre, he followed his brother with a mighty armie, and remoued the seate of the warre into _Normandie_. For he coniectured (as in trueth it fell out) that the Duke his brother vpon his returne, would presently disperse his companies, for want of money; and for the same cause would not easily be able to draw them together againe. So his valour and his power being much aduantaged by his sudden comming, ioyned to the want of foresight and preparation in the Duke; he tooke in short time the Castles of _Walerick_ and _Aubemarle_, with the whole Countrey of _Eu_; the Abbacie of _Mount S Michael_, _Fescampe_, _Chereburge_, and diuers other places; which he furnished with men of Armes, and Souldiers of assured trust.

The Duke feeling his owne weakenesse, dealt with _Philip_ King of _France_, and by liberall promises so preuailed with him, that he descended into _Normandie_ with a faire Armie, and bent his siege against one of those pieces which K. _William_ had taken. But he found it so knottie a piece of worke, that in short time wearied with hardnesse and hazards of the field, he fell to a capitulation with King _William_, and so departed out of _Normandie_; receiuing a certaine summe of money in regard of his charges, and conceiuing that he had won honour ynough, in that no honour had bene won against him.

The money that was payd to the King of _France_, was raised in _England_ by this deuise. King _William_ commanded that 20. Thousand men should be mustered in _England_, and transported into _Normandie_, to furnish his warres against the _French_. When they were conducted neere to _Hastings_, and almost ready to be embarked, it was signified to them from the King; that aswell for their particular safeties, as not to disfurnish the Realme of strength, whosoeuer would pay 10. shillings towards the waging of Souldiers in _Normandie_, he might be excused to stay at home. Among 20. Thousand scarce any was found, who was not ioyfull to embrace the condition; who was not ready to redeeme his aduenture with so small a summe: which being gathered together, was both a surer and easier meanes to finish the warres, then if the King had still struggeled by force of Armes. For when the _French_ King had abandoned the partie, Duke _Robert_, being prepared neither with money, nor constancie of mind to continue the warre, enclined to peace; which at the last, by diligence of friends, was concluded betweene the two brothers, vpon these conditions.

_That the Duke should yeeld to the King the Countie of Eu, the Abbey of Fescampe, the Abbey of S. Michaels mount, Chereburge, and all other Castles and fortifications which the King had taken._

_That the King should subdue to the vse of the Duke, all other Castles and houldes, which had reuolted from him in Normandie._

_That the King should giue to the Duke certaine dignities and possessions in England._

_That the King should restore all those to their dignities and lands in England, who had taken part with the Duke against him._

_That if either of them should die without issue male, the suruiuour should succeed in his estate._

These Articles were confirmed by twelue Barons on the Kings part, and as many on the part of the Duke; so long obserued, as either of them wanted either power or pretence to disanull them.

This peace being made, the Duke vsed the aide of King _William_, to recouer the fort of _Mount S. Michael_, which their brother _Henrie_ did forceably hold, for the money which hee had lent to the Duke of _Normandie_. Fourtie dayes they layed siege to this castle; hauing no hope to carrie it, but by the last necessity, which is hunger. Within the compasse of this time, as the King straggled alone vpon the shoare, certaine horsemen salied foorth and charged vpon him; of whom three strooke him together so violently with their lances, as because he could not be driuen out of his saddle, together with his saddle he was cast vpon the ground, and his horse slaine vpon the place, for which he had payed the same day 15. markes. Extremitie of danger (as it often happeneth) tooke from the King all feare of danger: wherefore taking vp his saddle with both his hands, he did therewith defend himselfe for a time. But because to stand vpon defence onely is alwayes vnsure, he drew his sword, and would not depart one foot from his saddle; but making shew of braue ioy, that he had nothing to trust vnto but his owne valour, he defended both his saddle and himselfe, till rescue came. Afterward when some of his Souldiers in blaming maner expostulated with him, wherefore he was so obstinate to saue his saddle: his answere was, that a King should loose nothing which he can possibly saue: _It would haue angred mee_, (said he) _at the very heart, that the knaues should haue bragged, that they had wonne the saddle from mee_. And this was one of his perpetuall felicities, to escape easily out of desperate dangers.

In the end _Henry_ grew to extreeme want of water, and other prouisions: by which meanes he was ready to fall into the hands of those, who desired to auoyd necessitie to hurt him. And first he sent to the Duke his brother, to request some libertie to take in fresh water. The Duke sent to him a tunne of wine, and granted a surcease of hostilitie for one day, to furnish him with water. At this the King seemed discontented, as being a meanes to prolong the warre. But the Duke told him, that it had bene hard to deny a brother a little water for his necessitie. Herewith likewise the King relenting, they sent for their brother _Henry_; and wisdome preuailing more then iniuries or hate, they fell to an agreement, That vpon a day appointed, _Henry_ should receiue his money at _Roan_; and that in the meane time, hee should hold the countrey of _Constantine_ in morgage. The King enterteined with pay many of his brother _Henries_ souldiers; especially he receiued those who ouerthrew him, to a very neere degree of fauour. And thus all parties ordered their ambition with great modestie; the custome of former warres running in a course of more humanitie, then since they haue done.

The King was the more desirous to perfect these agreements of Peace, for that _Malcolme_ King of _Scots_ (as Princes often times make vse of the contentions of their neighbours) tooke occasion vpon these confusions, to enterprise vpon the parts of _England_ which confined vpon him. So as he inuaded _Northumberland_, made great spoile, tooke much prey, caried away many prisoners; whose calamitie was the more miserable, for that they were to endure seruitude in a hard Countrey. For this cause the King with his accustomed celeritie returned into _England_, accompanied with the Duke of _Normandie_ his brother; and led a mighty armie against the _Scots_ by land, and sent also a nauie to infest them by sea. But by a sudden and stiffe storme, by a hideous confusion of all ill disposed weather, his ships were cruelly crushed; and hauing long wrought against the violence and rage of the tempest, were in the end dispersed, and diuers of them cast away. Many of his souldiers also perished, partly by penurie and want, and partly by the euill qualitied ayre.

Notwithstanding the _Scots_, knowing the King of _England_ to bee an enemie mighty and resolute, began to wauer in their assurance; framing fearefull opinions, of the number, valour and experience of his armie. Hereupon some ouertures of peace were made; the _Scots_ expecting that the King, by reason of his late losses, would be the more moderate in his demands. But hee then shewed himselfe most resolute and firme; following his naturall custome, not to yeelde to any difficulty. King _Malcolme_ coniecturing that such confidence could not be without good cause, consented at the last to these conditions.

_That King Malcolme should make a certaine satisfaction for the spoyles which hee had done in England._

_That King William should restore to him certaine lands in England._

_That K. Malcolme should doe homage to King William._

Now the day was come wherein _Henrie_ was appointed to receiue his money at _Roan_, from the Duke of _Normandie_. But as affaires of Princes haue great variations, so they are not alwayes constant in their Counsels. And so the Duke, caried by his occasions, and ready to lay downe his faith and word more to the traine of times, then to the preseruation of his honour; instead of paying the money, committed his brother _Henry_ to prison: from whence he could not be released, vntill hee renounced the Countie of _Constantine_, and bound himselfe by oath neuer to claime any thing in _Normandie_.

_Henrie_ complained hereof to _Philip_ King of _France_; who gaue him a faire enterteinement in his Court, but was content rather to feede then finish the contention: either expecting thereby some opportunitie to himselfe, or els the opinion of his owne greatnesse not suffring him to feare, that others might grow to haue fortune against him. _Henry_ had not long remained in the Court of _France_, but a _Normane_ Knight named _Hacharde_ conueyed him disguised into _Normandie_; where the Castle of _Damfronc_ was deliuered vnto him; and in short time after hee gate all the Countrey of _Passays_, and a good part of _Constantine_; either without resistance, or without difficultie and perill.

Hereupon the Duke leuied his forces, and earnestly assayed to recouer _Damfronc_: but then hee found that his brother _Henrie_ was secretly, yet surely vnderset by the king of _England_. Hereupon, incensed with the furie of an iniuried minde, hee exclaimed against his brother of _England_, and almost proclaimed him a violator of his league. On the other side, the King of _England_ iustified his action, for that hee was both a meanes and a partie to the agreement: and therefore stood bound in honour, not onely to vrge, but to enforce performance. So the flame brake foorth more furious then it was before, and ouer went King _William_ with an able armie; where hee found the Duke also in good condition of strength commanding the field. And albeit in so neere approach of two mighty enemies, equall both in ambition and power, it is hard to conteine men of seruice; yet was nothing executed betweene them, but certaine light skirmishes, and surprizements of some places of defence. In the end, the King hearing of new troubles in _England_, and the Duke finding himselfe vnable either to preuaile with few souldiers, or to maintaine many, and both distrusting to put a speedie end to the warre; they were easily drawne to capitulations of peace. And thus ended the contention betweene these brethren; who vntill this time had continued like the waues of the Sea, alwayes in motion, and one beating against the other.

Besides these businesses which befell the King, against his Nobilitie, against the Duke of _Normandie_ his brother, and against the King and nation of the _Scots_; the _Welshmen_ also (who alwayes struggled for libertie and reuenge) perceiuing that the King was often absent, and much entangled with hostile affaires; enforced the fauour of that aduantage, to free themselues from subiection of the _English_, and happily to enlarge or enrich themselues vpon them. So hauing both desire and opportunitie, they wanted not meanes to assemble in armes, to expell the _English_ that were amongst them, and to cast downe the Castles erected in their Countrey, as the principall yoakes of their subiection. Afterwards, rising in boldnesse with successe, they made diuers incursions vpon the bordering parts of _England_; spoiled the Citie of _Glocester_, and exercised all those outrages, which vnciuill people, incensed both with want and with hate doe not vsually omit. But being a company neither in discipline nor pay, raw and vnarmed, they proceeded more like to robbers then to Souldiers; hauing no intention to vanquish, but to spoile.

Hereupon the King twice in person inuaded _Wales_, but with small shew of successe for the present. For the _Welsh_-enemies scattered the warre, by diuiding themselues into small companies, and retiring into the mountaines and woods, and other places of naturall defence. Here they trauailed the King with a fugitiue fight; flying when they were pursued, and houering vpon him when they were giuen ouer: cutting off many stragling souldiers, and taking some carriages, which in those rough places could not easily either be passed, or defended. And so by shifting alwayes into places of aduantage, they sought at one time, both to auoyd fighting, and to hinder the King from doing any thing of importance. At the last, the King hauing made sufficient proofe how vaine it is, to follow a light footed enemie with a heauie Armie, pestered with traine of carriage, in places where the seruice of horsemen is almost vnprofitable; he gaue ouer the pursuit, and retired into _England_. But first he repaired those Castles which the _Welsh_ had destroyed, and built new Castles also vpon the frontiers and within the bosome of _Wales_; which he furnished with so sure garrisons, as might suffice with fauour of opportunitie, either to weary or consume the enemies.

And indeed the _Welsh_ being by this meanes, alwayes exercised, and dayly wasted; declined in short time, no lesse to cowardise then to wearinesse and wants; so as _Hugh_ Earle of _Chester_, & _Hugh_ Earle of _Shrewesbury_, dispossessed them of the Isle of _Anglesey_, which they had surprised not long before. The _Welsh_ that were there taken, were very hardly, or rather vnmercifully and cruelly entreated; Some had their eyes pulled out, some their hands cut off, some their armes, some their noses, some their genitalles. An aged Priest named _Kenredus_, who had bene a chiefe directer of the common affaires, was drawne out of a Church whereinto he had fled, had one of his eyes pulled out, and his tongue torne from his throat. I make no doubt but these seuerities were vsed against them, vpon some sauage outrages which they had done; wherein the lesse compassion was borne to their calamities, for the cowardise which they shewed in their owne defence.