Note 396 — Chapter XII · WILLIAM THE LION—1165–1214.

Hoveden, 1166, p. 289. Chron. Mel. 1166. “Ob negotia Domini sui,” says the latter authority; in other words, he performed service for Huntingdon. There is no actual allusion to the grant of this fief to William, but it is evident that he possessed it and sub-infeoffed it to his brother David. Newbridge, l. 2, c. 37, speaks of Earl David holding the castle of Huntingdon at the time of William’s capture; and in c. 31 he calls the same prince Earl of Huntingdon. Hoveden and Abbot Benedict, under the year 1184, mention that Henry gave back (reddidit) the fief to William, who granted it (dedit) to his brother. What was given back must have been previously taken away; and William must have been in possession of the fief before his capture. According to Fordun, l. 8, c. 12, 13, he was refused Northumberland; and this refusal Diceto, ad an. 1173, places amongst the causes of the subsequent war.