A.D. 1031. WAR AGAINST THE WELCH. 181 mandy; and, harassing his brother in every way, used his utmost exertions to deprive him of his patrimony. Accordingly, Robert, being compelled by necessity, brought his liege lord, Philip, king of the Franks, into Normandy with an army ; on which the king laid siege to the castle of Argenton, and on the very same day, without any bloodshed, took seven hundred of the king's knights, together with twice as many esquires,6 together with all the garrison of the eastle, and ordered them to be kept in close confinement, until each should ransom himself, after which, he returned to France. Duke Robert, however, besieged a castle whieh is called Holm, until William Peverel and eight hundred men who defended it surrendered to him. When this became known to the king, he sent messengers to England, and ordered twenty thousand foot soldiers to be sent to Normandy to his assistance; who being assembled at Hastings, for the purpose of crossing the sea, by the king's orders, Ranulph took from them the money that had been given them to purchase provisions, namely, ten shillings from each man, and, ordering them to return home, sent the money to the king. In the meantime, the whole of England was afflicted with oppressive and unceasing taxes, and a great mortality of the people both in this and the following year. In addition to this, first the people of North Wales, and then those of South Wales, throwing off the yoke of servitude by whieh they had been long oppressed, and lifting up their necks, struggled to regain their liberty. Accordingly, a great multitude having assembled together, they stormed the castles that had been founded in West Wales, and, in the provinces of Chester, Shrewsbury, and Hereford, burned the towns on every side, carried off plunder, and slew multitudes of English ^uid Normans. They also stormed the eastle in the Isle of Anglesey, and reduced it to subjection. In the meantime, the Scots treacherously slew their king, Duncan, and some other persons, by the advice and entreaty of Dufenald, and then chose him again for their king. Shortly after, king William returned to England, on the fourth day before the ealends of January, to wage Avar against the Welch, and immediately proceeded with his army into Wales, where he lost many men and horses. s " Scutariis."