Z82 HISTORY OF ENGLAND

C II A•V.

1093-

IC94.

■which was so soon concluded, there succeededhostilities with Scotland, which were not oflonger duration. Robert here commanded hisbrother’s army , and obliged Malcolm to acceptof peace and do homage to the crown of Eng-land. This peace was not more durable. Malcolm,two years after, levying an army , invaded Eng-land ; and after ravaging Northumberland, helaid siege to Alnwic , where a party of earlMoubray’s troops falling upon him by surprize,a sharp action ensued, in which Malcolm wasslain. This incident interrupted for some yearsthe regular succession to the Scottish crown.Though Malcolm left legitimate sons, his brother,Donald , on account of the youth of these princes,was advanced to the throne ; but kept not longpossession of it. Duncan, natural son of Malcolm,formed a conspiracy against him ; and being assistedby William with a small force , made himselfmaster of the kingdom. New broils ensued withNormandy. The franc, open , remiss temper ofRobert was ill - fitted to withstand the interested,rapacious character of William, who, supportedby greater power, was still encroaching on hisbrother’s possessions , and instigating his turbulentbarons to rebellion against him. The king,having gone over to Normandy to support hispartisans, ordered an army of twenty thousandmen to be levied in England, and to be conductedto the sea-coast, as if they were instantly to beembarked. Here Ralph Flam bard , the king’sminister , and the chief instrument of his extortions.