against those places which the king held, [Sidenote: Richard earle of
Chester.] and also against other that belonged to Richard earle of
Chester, who was then vnder the kings tuition and gouernement by reason
of his minoritie.

The threatning words of duke Robert comming at the last to king Henries
eares, caused him foorthwith to conceiue verie sore displeasure against
the duke, [Sidenote: A power of men sent into Normandie.] in so much
that he sent ouer a power into Normandie, which finding no great
resistance, did much hurt in the countrie, by fetching and carieng
spoiles and preies. Againe the Normans rather fauoured than sought to
hinder the enterprise of king Henrie, bicause they saw how duke Robert
with his foolish prodigalitie and vndiscréet liberalitie had made awaie
all that belonged to his estate; so that of the whole duchie of
Normandie, he had not any citie or towne of name left in his owne
possession, Roan onelie excepted, which he also would haue alienated, if
the citizens would haue consented to his fond motion. [Sidenote:
_Gemeticensis._]

[Sidenote: 1105.] [Sidenote: The k. passeth ouer to Normandie. An. Reg.
6. _Simon Dun._ _Gemeticensis._ _Polydor._] Now king Henrie hearing of
the good successe of his men, passed ouer himselfe soone after with a
mightie armie, and with little adoo tooke Eureux or (as others haue)
Baieux and Caen, which cities when he had furnished with sufficient
garisons of men, he repassed the sea into England, bicause the winter
approched, and the wether waxed troublesome for such as laie in the
field. Herevpon duke Robert considering how vnable he was (by reason
that his people failed him at néed) to resist king Henrie, sith the
Britans also, and they of Aniou, tooke part with the said king, he
thought good to laie armour aside, and to passe ouer into England, to