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Bridgenorth, Oldbury, and Qiiatford, 279 and energy, not only a great soldier, and " princeps militise," or " Commander of the Forces " to Rufus, but a great military engi- neer. He selected the site and planned the works of the celebrated castle of Gisors on the Franco-Norman frontier. His brother's death found him beleaguered in his castle of Balaon by Fulk, Count of Anjou, and the siege was raised by Rufus, who granted him, or con- firmed him in, his brother's Honour. When he came to England is uncertain, probably not before the end of 1099. On the death, in 11 00, of Rufus, Earl Robert took part with Duke Robert, whose claims, however, were not at first brought for- ward. It was probably while preparing for their open assertion that he decided to fortify the strong position which rose unoccupied scarce a mile from his father's church and residence. His decision was prompt, and followed at once by his acts. He transferred the " Burgus " of Quatford to a new town on the hill, and with it his father's house and bridge, which he also rebuilt. The result was the borough town, castle, and bridge of Bridgenorth, the latter structure giving name to the whole as Bridge or Bruge, the distinc- tive "north " not being added till the reign of Edward H. or IH. With Bridgenorth, Earl Robert also founded the castle of " Caro- clove " in Wales, and such was his need that the works were carried on day and night. He also fortified Arundel, Shrewsbury, and Tickhill. His exertions in iioo and iioi, when he seems to have built the castle, must have been excessive. King Henry, however, was not less active. He despatched Robert, Bishop of Lincoln, to lay siege to Tickhill, while he himself, having commenced with Arundel, proceeded to Bridgenorth. He took it, after a three weeks' siege, in September, 1102, and this brought to a close Earl Robert's short tenure of power in England. The earl fled to Normandy, his earldom of Shrewsbury was forfeited, and Bridgenorth was after a time granted to Hugh de Mortimer of Wigmore, the son of one of Henry's most trusted supporters. In 1 1 26, Waleran, Earl of Mellent, was here imprisoned, as was Meredith ab Llywarch in 11 28. In 11 30 wine was sent hither for the king's use, so that Mortimer was probably rather constable for the Crown than the owner in fee. Mortimer, in the new reign, took the part of Stephen, at whose death he held both Wigmore and Bridgenorth. As he was in rebel- lion against Henry II., the king took the field against him, and in April, 1 155, the castle a second time stood a royal siege. Cleobury, one of Mortimer's castles, surrendered in July, and Wigmore and Bridgenorth followed. Henry was for some time before the place, and his charter to Stoneley Abbey is dated "apud Brugium in obsidione." It was at this siege that Hubert de St. Clair is said to have stepped forward to receive the arrow aimed at his sovereign, a romantic but unfounded tale. Henry retained the castle for the Crown, and used it largely as a prison for his Welsh hostages. In 1 1 73-4, when Prince Henry rose against his father, Bridgenorth was victualled at a cost of £^22. 5s. 2d. In 11 75-6 the king dated a Wenlock Abbey charter from hence. The frequent charges