Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy

CONTENTS

	PAGE
CHAPTER I
Youth	3-16
Parentage and birth	4
Tutors and education	6
Initiation into politics	7
Official position under the Conqueror	10
Bright promise of Robert’s youth	15
CHAPTER II
Rebellion and Exile	17-41
Robert’s character and personal appearance	17
First rebellion and exile	18
Gerberoy	25
Robert in the active service of the king	31
Second rebellion and exile	36
Death of the Conqueror	39
CHAPTER III
Independent Rule, 1087-95	42-88
Robert’s accession to the duchy	42
Unsuccessful attempt to gain the English crown	44
William Rufus against Robert Curthose	53
Robert and William as allies	60
The loss of Maine	69
Weakness and failure of Robert’s government	75
Renewed war with William Rufus	83
CHAPTER IV
The Crusade	89-119
Introduction	89
The Crusade launched in Normandy	90
Preparations for the Crusade	92
From Normandy to Nicaea	96
From Nicaea to Antioch	102
Antioch, 1097-98	104
The advance upon Jerusalem	108
The capture of Jerusalem	112
The battle of Ascalon	115
Robert’s return from Jerusalem to Italy	117
Estimate of Robert as a crusader	118
CHAPTER V
Failure to Gain the English Crown	120-137
Death of William Rufus and accession of Henry I	120
Robert’s return from the Crusade	123
The end of Norman rule in Maine	125
Conspiracy to gain the English crown	127
Norman invasion of England	130
The treaty of Alton, 1101	134
CHAPTER VI
The Loss of Normandy	138-176
Sequel to the treaty of Alton	138
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