Page:The reign of William Rufus and the accession of Henry the First.djvu/533

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details till William became master of all Normandy by quite another process. But though we get no details of the war from Norman sources, we do get a general picture of its results. The no-rule of Robert is once more set before us in speaking words. The soft Duke, who feared his subjects more than they feared him, was benumbed with softness and idleness. He is contrasted with both his brothers. Henry held his stronghold at Domfront, together with a large but undefined part of the duchy, including without doubt the more part of his old peninsular county. Some places he had won by arms; others, like Domfront itself, had sought his rule of their own free will. Within these bounds he yielded to his brother the Duke just so much service as he thought good, which at this particular moment would be little indeed. And the other brother who wore the diadem of England held more than twenty castles on Norman ground. He, unlike Robert, was a ruler whom men feared; and his gifts, and the fear of him together, kept many of the great men of the land, not only in his allegiance, but in his zealous service. If Normandy was not conquered, it was at least effectually dismembered.

The list of the Norman nobles who joined the King from beyond sea takes in most of the names with

wann, and him mycelne hearm ægðer on lande and on mannan dyde."]
 * [Footnote: heldan, uppon heora broðer Rodbeard eorl, and gelomlice uppon þone eorl