William the Conqueror left three sons,--Robert, William Rufus, and
Henry. He also left a daughter, Adela, who married a powerful French
nobleman, Stephen, Count of Blois. On his deathbed (S124) William
bequeathed Normandy to Robert. He expressed a wish that William Rufus
should become ruler over England, while to Henry he left five thousand
pounds of silver, with the prediction that he would ultimately be the
greatest of them all.
Before his eyes were closed, the two sons, who were with him, hurried
away,--William Rufus to seize the realm of England, Henry to get
possession of his treasure. Robert was not present. His recent
rebellion (S124) would alone have been sufficient reason for alloting
to him the lesser portion; but even had he deserved the scepter,
William knew it required a firmer hand than his to hold it.