ufus is crowned the 26. of September. _Polydor._ His
bountifull munificence.] The nobles at the first wished rather to haue
had the elder brother duke Robert to haue gouerned them: howbeit by
the aide onelie of the said Lanfranke, whose authoritie was of no
small force amongst all the lords of the land, this William (according
to his fathers assignation) was proclaimed and crowned at Westminster
on the 26. of September (being Sundaie, the 6. kalends of October) and
the 11. indiction, as the best writers doo report. After his
coronation, to gratifie the people, he went to Winchester, where he
found great treasure which his father had laid vp there for his owne
vse: this he freelie spent in large gifts, and all kind of princelie
largesse. He set verie manie prisoners at libertie, and did many other
things to benefit the people, wherein the diligence and good aduice of
Lanfranke did not a little preuaile. For he perceiued that there was
in the king a variable mind, an vnstable nature, and a disposition to
lightnesse and follie. Wherefore hee tooke oftentimes the more paines
in persuading him not onelie to liberalitie (which is none of the
least vertues in a prince) but also to vse a discreet and orderlie
behauiour in all his dooings. Moreouer, he sticked not to put him in
feare of an euill end, and troublesome regiment likelie to insue, if
he did giue himselfe to vice and wilfulnesse, & neglect the charge
thus by the prouidence of GOD committed to his hands. After this maner
did the said prelat trauell with the king, whom we will leaue at this
time as it were hearkening to his admonitions, and set foorth by the
waie what his brother Robert did, whilest William Rufus his brother
was occupied in such wise as you haue heard.

It happened that this Robert was abroad in Germanie, when king William
his father died (whither he went to raise a power, to the intent he
might therby obteine the possession of Normandie, which he trusted to
enioy in his fathers life time) where hearing newes of his death, he
hasted straightwaies into Normandie, and there being ioyfullie receiued,
was peaceablie proclaimed duke of that countrie, with great gladnesse
and shouting of the people.

[Sidenote: 1088.] After this, considering with himselfe how
dishonorable a thing it was for him, that his yoonger brother should
possesse the crowne of England, which of right (as he said) belonged
vnto him, by reason of his age; he determined with all expeditio