[144] Osmond de Gaprée was killed at the siege on 1 September. Ordericus, iii, p. 297: Ordericus was probably well informed, since Osmond was buried at Saint-Évroul. This date makes it possible to say definitely that this expedition into Maine did not take place in 1087, for William the Conqueror did not die till 9 September of that year. It is not so clear that it did not take place after 1088; yet between this and the successful rebellion of 1090 there were the threatened disturbances which Fulk is said to have repressed for a year. Cf. Latouche, _Maine_, p. 40, n. 2.
[150] He granted Bavent, Noyon-sur-Andelle, Gacé, and Gravençon to William of Évreux, and Pont-Saint-Pierre to William of Breteuil, his nephew. Ordericus, iii, pp. 321-322.
[151] Ordericus, iii, pp. 327-332; _Actus Pontificum_, pp. 385 ff.; _Interpolations de Robert de Torigny_, in William of Jumièges, pp. 272-273.
[153] Ordericus, iii, pp. 328-329; _Actus Pontificum_, pp. 385-386.
[154] He was the son of Azzo II, marquis of Este, and Gersent, eldest daughter of Herbert Éveille-Chien.
[155] _Actus Pontificum_, p. 386; Ordericus, iii, pp. 327-328.
[156] “Ipse autem Rotbertus, ultra modum inertie et voluptati deditus, nichil dignum ratione respondens, que Cenomannenses fecerant, pro eo quod inepto homini nimis honerosi viderentur, non multum sibi displicuisse monstravit.” _Actus Pontificum_, p. 386. This is a remarkable corroboration of Ordericus Vitalis in his view of Robert’s character.
[157] _Actus Pontificum_, pp. 387-390. Hoël’s presence in England early in 1091 is proved by his attestation of two charters by William Rufus, at Dover (27 January) and at Hastings. Davis, _Regesta_, nos. 315, 319. It is not unlikely that Hoël returned to Normandy with the king, who was evidently about to sail at the time the Dover charter was issued.