Robert Curthose

Robert II Duke of Normandy

Robert Duke of Normandy, wanting money to furnish himself and set forth against the Saracens, mortgaged his Duchy of Normandy to his brother King William II, for the sum of ten thousand pounds. After his return from Jerusalem, he was often reproached by his brother Henry for not having accepted that Kingdom.

Keightley mentioned that Robert, felling sick during his journey through Asia Minor, had himself carried in a litter by Saracens, and when a Norman pilgrim, whom he met, asked him if he had any message to send home? He said, "Tell my people that thou hast met me with devils carrying me to paradise".