And not long after passing[208] over into Normandy to quench those flames which these two earls had made by joining with Robert Curthose (who thought himself injured, that his younger brother Henry had made himself King,) subdued[208] (anno 1106) all that power which there appeared against him, and at length laid siege to Tenerchebray (a town belonging to this[208] Earl). For the raising whereof
Duke Robert with this William, and Robert de Belesme, and many other came[209] with a great army, where a short fight[210] ensued, this earl leading[211] the van, and Robert de Belesme the rear; and of the king’s army, Ranulf de Bajorsis (an eminent baron) the van, and Robert Earl of Mellent the rear. The armies thus disposed, our Earl William made the[212] onset upon Ranulf with extraordinary courage, but could not break through his troops, they stood so stoutly to it. The front on both sides thus maintaining their ground, Helias Earl of Maine, (on the King’s part) fell upon the flank of the enemy’s foot, who being not well armed, were soon shattered, which disorder, being observed by Robert de Bellesme, he began to fly with the rear; whereupon, the King soon obtained an absolute victory, the duke himself being made prisoner, and all his principal adherents, amongst which, this Earl, being taken by the Britains, from whose hands the king and his friends had much ado to get him, was sent prisoner into England, there to be secured during his life.[213] After which, the king causing his eyes to be put out, bestowed[214] his earldom of Moreton upon Stephen of Blois (son of Stephen Earl of Champaine), whom he then honoured with knighthood, who was after King of England.
This Earl William built[215] the castle of Montacute in Somersetshire, and called it by that name from the sharpness of the hill on which he did set it, and likewise founded[216] a priory near thereto, which he amply endowed, annexing it as a cell to the Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy.
He also gave[217] to the Abbey of Bee in Normandy his lordship of Preston in the Rape of Pevensel in Sussex, and was buried[218] in the Abbey of Bermondsey in Southwark; but when he died, I find no mention, nor of either wife or issue that he had.
This Reginald was[219] one of the illegitimate sons of King Henry the First, (begotten, as it is generally believed,[220] on the daughter of Robert Corbet,) and surnamed[221] de Dunstanvill.
In 3 Stephen, he was a stout adherer[221] to Maud the Empress, against Stephen; but afterwards falling off, was in anno 1140 (5 Steph.) made[222] Earl of Cornwall by that king. Howbeit, after this, being surprised in Cornwall, at a certain castle then in the power of the king, by one William Fitz Richard (a person of a noble extraction and ample fortune in those parts) violating his faith to that king, he married the daughter of this William,[223] and thereupon reduced that whole country to his will, grievously oppressing all the king’s party, and not sparing what was sacred, insomuch as he underwent the sentence of ex-communication for so doing by the Bishop of Exeter. The king therefore hearing of these his rebellious practices, marched suddenly thither with a powerful army, and recovering those strong-holds by him gained, committed[224] them to the trust of Earl Alan (of Richmond).
After this, scil. in 6 Steph. he was[225] in that fatal battle of Lincoln, against King Stephen; but ere long, the tide turning, by the success which the king had in taking[226] the Castle of Forandune, in com. Berks, which Robert Earl of Gloucester had built on the behalf of the empress, being by her sent with overtures of peace to the king, he was taken by Philip, a younger son to that earl, who had revolted to the king’s side.
After which time I find no more mention of him till 2 Henry II. that he had the lordship of Meleburne, in com. Somerset, given[228] him by King Henry, as also[229] the manors of Karswill and Depeford, with the hundreds.
In 10 Henry II. he endeavoured (for the king’s honour as it is said) a reconciliation betwixt King Henry and