Page:The reign of William Rufus and the accession of Henry the First.djvu/249

 Brionne, which had cost him no small pains to win or to recover, passed away from his son without a thought. Robert gave to every man everything that he asked for, to the impoverishment of himself and to the strengthening of every other man against him.

In one corner only of the duchy was there a better state of things to be seen. The Ætheling Henry had received from his dying father a bequest in money, but no share in his territorial dominions. He claimed however the English lands which had been held by his mother Matilda, but which the late King had kept in his own hands after her death. This claim had not as yet been made good, and Henry's possessions still consisted only of his five thousand pounds in money. With part of this he was presently to make a splendid investment. While Henry had money but no lands, Robert had wide domains, but his extravagance soon left him without money. The Norman portion of the Conqueror's hoard was presently scattered broadcast among his mercenary soldiers and other followers. Of these he kept a vast number; men flocked eagerly to a prince who was so ready to give; but before long he wasnixus." Wace also says (14484),

"E Henris out des déniers asez Ke sis peres li out donez, Partie out del tresor son pere E grant partie out de sa mere." ]