Cardiff in Wales, where he remained about the space of 26. yeares, and
then died. He gouerned the duchie of Normandie 19. yeares, he was a
perfect and expert warrior, & comparable with the best capiteines that
then liued, had he béene somwhat more warie and circumspect in his
affaires, and therewithall constant in his opinion. [Sidenote:
_Polydor._] His worthie acts valiantlie and fortunatlie atchiued against
the infidels, are notified to the world by manie and sundrie writers to
his high commendation and long lasting praise. It is said also, that he
was after his taking once set at libertie by king Henrie, and bound to
forsweare the realme of England and Normandie, being appointed to auoid
within the space of 40. daies, and twelue houres. But bicause he was
perceiued to practise somewhat against the king, he was eftsoones taken
againe, and hauing his eies put out, committed to prison, where finallie
worne through age and gréefe of mind, he ended his miserable life. ¶ The
forme of banishing men out of the realme, was ordeined by Edward the
Confessor, and remained as a law in vse till these our daies, for the
benefit of them which fled to any church or other priuiledged place,
thereby to escape the punishment of death due for their offenses. By a
latter custome it was also deuised, that they should beare a crosse in
their hand, as a signe that they were pardoned of life, for the holie
place sake where they sought for succour.

[Sidenote: _Matth. West._] But duke Robert (as it should appeere by that
which others write) found no such fauour, saue onlie libertie to walke
abroad in the kings forests, parks, and chases néere the place where he
was appointed to remaine; so that vpon a daie, as he was walking abroad,
he got a horsse, and with all post hast rode his waie, in hope to haue
escaped: howbeit his keepers being aduised thereof, followed him with
hue and crie, and at length ouertooke him in a medow, where he had laid
his horsse vp to the bellie in a quauemire. Then being brought backe,