Page:The reign of William Rufus and the accession of Henry the First.djvu/334

 took their names, in the diocese of Seez, between the Dive and the Oudon, lay at no great distance from one another. They thus lay between Earl Roger's own Montgomery and a series of new fortresses on the Orne and the neighbouring streams, by which Earl Roger's son hoped to extend his power over the whole land of Hiesmes. Hugh and Richard strengthened themselves against the tyrant—such is the name which Robert bears—gathering their allies and putting their castles in a state of defence. Their united forces were too much for the lord of Bellême. He sought help from his sovereign, and the Duke, who was not allowed to strike a blow for his own Rouen, appeared as the besieger of Courcy, no less than of Brionne. He who had fought to turn the tyrant out of Ballon and Saint Cenery now fought to put Courcy into the tyrant's power.

The siege of Courcy began in January. At the end of the month or the beginning of the next, a piece of news came which caused the Duke and the other besiegers to cease from their work. Robert himself could see that there was something else to be done besides making war on Hugh of Grantmesnil on behalf of Robert of Bellême, when the King of the English was in his own person on Norman ground. The host before Courcy broke up; some doubtless went to their own homes; but we may suspect that some found their way to Eu. For there it was that King William had fixed his quarters; there the great men of Normandy were gathering around him. They did not come empty-handed. They welcomed the King with royal gifts; but itadventu audito, territus dux cum Roberto aliisque obsidentibus actutum recessit, et unusquisque propria repetiit." He is more emphatic in 697 A; "Robertus de Belesmo cum suis complicibus aufugit."]