Welcome to the British History podcast. My name is Jamie, and this is episode 478 of Fire Sale for the Faithful.

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It's September of 1098, and Duke Robert was setting out on crusade, intent on taking

the main pilgrim road to Rome and into Norman, Italy.

Joining him were his retainers, soldiers, and supporters, including high-ranked figures like Count Robert of Flanders,

Stephen of Oval, who was that forgettable guy that Demobre tried to install on the throne of

England, and of course his uncle, Bishop Odo of Bayou. But the point I'm getting at here is that this was a very large company.

In fact, even Abbott Dorento, who was the people legate, was leaving Normandy along with Robert.

So we're talking about a gargantuanian force here.

And then shortly before they left Ruan, Helius of LaFleche arrived,

and he wanted to make the company even larger. Now, Helius was the Count of Maine and a powerful

noble, so he would have been a valuable addition to the Crusaders. But he was all too aware of who and what Rufus was.

And so before he went on Crusade, he wanted a guarantee of peace from the Red King.

Helius was more than happy to go and fight for God, but he didn't want

Rufus to steal his lands while he was gone. And Rufus listened to this request and told him,

quote, you can go wherever you like, but before you do, hand over Le Mans and the whole county, for I am going to have what my father held."

End quote.

Helius was outraged, and he insisted that he held the legal right to Maine.

But if Rufus wanted to dispute that, he should submit his complaint to the judgment

of the nobility. And Rufus responded with, fuck that, I will plead my case with sword and lance.

...