WILLIAM RUFUS.

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modation, retired to St. Michael’s Mount, a c H A pstrong fortress on the coast of Normandy , and v.infested the neighbourhood with his incursions.

Robert and William with their joint forcesbesieged him in this place, and had nearly re-duced him by the scarcity of water ; when theelder, hearing of his distress, granted him per-.mistion to supply himself, and also sent him somepipes of wine for his own table. Being reprovedby William for this ill-timed generosity , hereplied, What, shall 1 suffer my brother to die ofthirst ? Where shall we find another , when he isgone? The king also, during this siege, performedan acs of generosity, which was less suitable tohis character. Riding out one day alone, totake a survey of the fortress, he was attackedby two soldiers , and dismounted. One of themdrew his sword in order to dispatch him ; when theking exclaimed , Hold knave ! I am the king of Eng-land. The soldier suspended his blow ; andraising the king from the ground, with expres-sions of respect , received a handsome reward,and was taken into his service. Prince Henrywas soon after obliged to capitulate ; and beingdespoiled of all his patrimony, wandered aboutfor some time with very few attendants , andoften in great poverty.

The continued intestine discord among the 1091.barons was alone, in that age, destructive : Thepublic wars were commonly short and feeble,produced little bloodshed , and were attended%yith no memorable event. To this Norman war,