Moreouer, he sticked not to put him in
feare of an euill end, and troublesome regiment likelie to insue, if
he did giue himselfe to vice and wilfulnesse, & neglect the charge
thus by the prouidence of GOD committed to his hands. After this maner
did the said prelat trauell with the king, whom we will leaue at this
time as it were hearkening to his admonitions, and set foorth by the
waie what his brother Robert did, whilest William Rufus his brother
was occupied in such wise as you haue heard.
It happened that this Robert was abroad in Germanie, when king William
his father died (whither he went to raise a power, to the intent he
might therby obteine the possession of Normandie, which he trusted to
enioy in his fathers life time) where hearing newes of his death, he
hasted straightwaies into Normandie, and there being ioyfullie receiued,
was peaceablie proclaimed duke of that countrie, with great gladnesse
and shouting of the people.
[Sidenote: 1088.] After this, considering with himselfe how
dishonorable a thing it was for him, that his yoonger brother should
possesse the crowne of England, which of right (as he said) belonged
vnto him, by reason of his age; he determined with all expedition to
passe the seas with an armie, and recouer that into his hands, which
his father had giuen from him, partlie (as it is thought) for his
wilfulnesse and disobedience towards him, and partly also bicause he
doubted that if he should leaue it vnto him, he would through his too
much gentlenesse and facilitie, giue occasion to the English to resume
strength, and therby to reuolt.
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