WILLIAM RUFUS.

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exacted ten shillings a piece from them , in lieu chap.of their service, and then dismissed them into y.their several counties. This money was so skilfullyemployed by William , that it rendered him bet-ter service than he could have expected from thearmy. He engaged the French king by newpresents to depart from the protection of Robert;and he daily bribed the Norman barons to deserthis service : But was prevented from pushinghis advantages by an incursion of the Welsh,which obliged him to return to England. Hefound no difficulty in repelling the enemy ; butwas not able to make any considerable impressionon a country, guarded by its mountainoussituation. A conspiracy of his own barons, whichwas detected at this time , appeared a more seriousconcern , and engrossed all his attention. RobertMoubray, earl of Northumberland, was at thehead of this combination ; and he engaged in itthe count d’Eu , Richard de Tunbridge, Rogerde Lacey , and many others. The purpose ofthe conspirators was to dethrone the king, andto advance in his stead, Stephen , count of Au-male , nephew to the Conqueror. William’sdispatch prevented the design from taking effect,and disconcerted the conspirators. Moubray madesome resistance ; but being taken prisoner , wasattainted, and thrown into confinement, wherehe died about thirty years after. The countd’Eu dfnied his concurrence in the plot; and to iv-s.justify himself, fought , in the presence of thecourt at Windsor, a duel with Geoffrey Bainard,