Saint Cenery taken by Robert of Bellême.
Henry and Hugh summoned to Eu. had turned Philip back, did not feel at all at ease in his Norman quarters. He seems to have distrusted two important personages at the other end of the duchy, his other brother and one of the mightiest of his own subjects. Henry, Ætheling and again Count, was safe in his castle of Domfront, among the people who had chosen him as their protector. At one period of this year, he is described as at war with both his brothers at once.[1] We find him taking the part of the lord of Saint Cenery, Robert son of Geroy,[2] against the common enemy, Robert of Bellême. His help however did not hinder the cherished fortress from falling into the hands of the tyrant.[3] We hear of him before the end of the war in a way which implies at least some suspicious feeling between himself and the King his brother. Besides Henry, Hugh of Chester—rather Hugh of Avranches or Hugh of Saint-James—was also in his own continental possessions. The King summoned both of them to come to him at Eu, and, as the state of the duchy did not allow them to come across Normandy by land, he sent ships to bring them.[4] But Henry and Hugh, from whatever causes,*
- ↑ Ord. Vit. 706 C. See Appendix P.
- ↑ Ord. Vit. ib. See above, p. 217.
- ↑ This is one of Orderic's best stories (706 C, D). A false tale of its lord's death is brought to Saint Cenery. His allies, Pagan of Montdoubleau (see above, p. 209) and Rotrou of Montfort, at once forsake the castle which they had been defending. Robert's wife Radegund cannot get them to wait till more certain news can be had. Robert of Bellême comes just in time for dinner. "Ingressi castrum, lebetes super ignes ferventes invenerunt carnibus plenas, et mensas mappulis coopertas et escas cum pane super appositas." He spoils and burns the castle. Robert son of Geroy is left homeless; his wife ("proba femina et honesta") dies; his little son William, whom Robert of Bellême somehow has as a hostage, is poisoned; he then defends his new castle of Montacute against Robert of Bellême. Robert of Bellême brings Duke Robert to besiege him. Peace is made by the mediation of Geoffrey of Mayenne; Montacute is destroyed, and Saint Cenery is restored to Robert son of Geroy.
- ↑ Chron. Petrib. 1094. "Her onmang þison se cyng W. sende æfter his broðer Hennrige se wæs on þam castele æt Damfront, ac forþi þe he mid
