Note 5.2

Frank Barlow discusses this siege in his William Rufus (Methuen, London,1983), page 333. He cites Orderic Vitalis, iv, 228 for the strategic importance of "Holmetia regio" between Domfront and Falaise and identifies it with the honour of Briouze. He is therefore convinced that "the castle of Houlme" defended by William Peverel against Robert Curthose's attack was at Briouze. The region is still known as Le Houlme. Barlow also cites Orderic Vitalis (v, 26) on page 282 of William Rufus. Here Philip of Briouze appears in a list of supporters of William Rufus, which also includes Robert count of Eu, Stephen of Aumale, Gerard of Gournay, Ralf of Conches, Robert count of Meulan, Walter Giffard and Richard of Courcy. The defeat at Briouze may have prompted the submission of the Braoses to Duke Robert, the division of their English and Norman lands between the family or the complete loss of their property in Normandy for a time. Whatever the case, it was a short-lived situation. Duke Robert mortgaged Normandy to William Rufus in 1096 to attend the First Crusade. William de Braose disappears at this time, between 1093 and 1096. It is tempting to relate the siege of Briouze to his death. He is presumed dead since his son Philip confirmed the family gifts to the Abbey of Saint Florent before leaving for Jerusalem himself.

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