n 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. Wherefore he iudged his yoonger
brother the saied William (a man of a rougher nature) the meeter of
the twaine for the gouernement.

As duke Robert was thus mooued by his owne desire to bereue his brother
of the dominion of England, so he was not a little incensed thervnto by
such of the English Nobilitie and Normans, as came dailie ouer vnto him
out of the realme, complaining of the present state of the world, as
those misliked of the whole maner of regiment vsed in the beginning of
the reigne of his brother William. His vncle Odo also (then bishop of
Baieux) furthered the matter all that he might. This Odo was at first in
great estimation with his brother the Conqueror, and bare great rule
vnder him, till at length for enuie that the archbishop Lanfranke was
preferred before him, he conspired against him, who vnderstanding
thereof, committed him foorthwith to prison, where he remained, till
the said prince then lieng on his death-bed, released and restored
him to his former libertie. When the king was dead, William Rufus
tooke him backe into England, supposing no lesse but to haue had a
speciall freend and a trustie counceller of him in all his affaires.
But yer long after his comming thither, he fell againe into the same
offense of ingratitude, wherof he became culpable in the Conquerors
daies: for perceiuing that Lanfranke was so highlie esteemed with the
king, that he could beare no rule, and partlie suspecting that
Lanfranke had been cheefe causer of his former imprisonment,
[Sidenote: Odo the bishop of Baieux conspireth against his nephue
William Rufus.] he conspired with the rest against his nephue, and
therevpon wrote sundrie letters ouer vnto duke Robert, counselling him
to come ouer with an armie in all hast, to take the rule vpon him,
which by his practise should easilie be compassed.

Duke Robert being thus animated on all sides, and yet wanting
sufficient monie to the furniture of this iournie, engaged a portion
of his duchie of Normandie, as the countie of Constantine to his
yoongest brother Henrie, for a great sum of gold, and