WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. 35 ?

•was also necessary for composing those disturb- c II Aances, which had arisen in that favourite territory, iv.and which had even originally proceeded from r°rs.his own family. Robert, his eldest son, surnamedGambaron or Courthose, from his short legs,was a prince, who inherited all the bravery ofhis family and nation; but without that policyand dissimulation, by which his father was somuch distinguished , and which , no less than hismilitary valour, had contributed to his greatsuccesses. Greedy of fame, impatient of contradic-tion, without reserve in his friendships, declaredin his enmities, this prince could endure nocontroul even from his imperious father, andopenly aspired to that independence, to which histemper, as well as some cirumstances in his situation ,strongly invited him". When William first receivedthe submissions of the province of Maine, he hadpromised the inhabitants,thatRobertssiouldbe theirprince; and before be undertook the expeditionagainst England, he had on the application of theFrench court, declared him his successor in Nor-mandy, and had obliged the barons of that dut-chy to do him homage as their future sovereign.

By this artifice, he had endeavoured to appease thejealousy of his neighbours, as affording them aprospect of separating England from his dominionson the continent; but when Robert demanded ofhim the execution of those engagements, he gavehim an absolute refusal, and told him, according

Order. Vital. p. 545. Hoveden, p. 457. Flor. -XGgorn.

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