William's claim, that Herbert could not grant away even the rights
of his sisters, still less the rights of his people. Still it was
characteristic of William that he had a case that might be
plausibly argued. The people of Maine had fallen back on the old
Teutonic right. They had chosen a prince connected with the old
stock, but who was not the next heir according to any rule of
succession. Walter was hardly worthy of such an exceptional
honour; he showed no more energy in Maine than his brother Ralph
had shown in England. The city was defended by Geoffrey, lord of
Mayenne, a valiant man who fills a large place in the local
history. But no valour or skill could withstand William's plan of
warfare. He invaded Maine in much the same sort in which he had
defended Normandy. He gave out that he wished to win Maine without
shedding man's blood. He fought no battles; he did not attack the
city, which he left to be the last spot that should be devoured.
He harried the open country, he occupied the smaller posts, till
the citizens were driven, against Geoffrey's will, to surrender.
William entered Le Mans; he was received, we are told, with joy.
When men make the best of a bad bargain, they sometimes persuade
themselves that they are really pleased. William, as ever, shed no
blood; he harmed none of the men who had become his subjects; but
Le Mans was to be bridled; its citizens needed a castle and a
Norman garrison to keep them in their new allegiance. Walter and
Biota surrendered their claims on Maine and became William's guests
at Falaise. Meanwhile Geoffrey of Mayenne refused to submit, and
withstood the new Count of Maine in his stronghold. William laid
siege to Mayenne, and took it by the favoured Norman argument of
fire. All Maine was now in the hands of the Conqueror.

William had now made a greater conquest than any Norman duke had