[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Matth. West._] [Sidenote: An. Reg. 35.] In
the 34. yeare of his reigne, his brother Robert Curthose departed this
life in the castell of Cardiff. It is said that on a festiuall daie king
Henrie put on a robe of scarlet, the cape whereof being streict, he rent
it in striuing to put it ouer his head: and perceiuing it would not
serue him, he laid it aside, and said; "Let my brother Robert haue this
robe, who hath a sharper head than I haue." Which when it was brought to
duke Robert, and the rent place not sowed vp, he perceiued it, and asked
whether any man had worne it before. The messenger told the whole matter
how it happened. [Sidenote: The deceasse of Robert Curthose.] Wherewith
duke Robert tooke such a greefe for the scornefull mocke of his brother,
that he waxed wearie of his life, and said: "Now I perceiue I haue liued
too long, that my brother shall cloth me like his almes man with his
cast and rent garments." Thus cursing the time of his natiuitie, he
refused from thencefoorth to eat or drinke, and so pined awaie, and was
buried at Glocester.

King Henrie remaining still in Normandie, rode round about a great part
of the countrie, shewing no small loue and courtesie to the people,
studieng by all meanes possible to win their fauours, and being merie
amongst them. Howbeit nothing reioised him more than that his daughter
Maud the empresse at the same time was deliuered of hir second sonne
named Geffrey, so that he saw himselfe prouided of an assured successor.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._] [Sidenote: 1135. An. Reg. 35.] But whilest he
thus passed the time in mirth and solace, he began soone after to be
somewhat diseased, and neuer could perceiue any euident cause thereof.
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ _Sim. Dunel._] Wherefore to driue his greefe
away, he went abrode to hunt, and being somewhat amended thereby (as he
thought) at his comming home he would néeds eat of a lampry, though his