Although Orderic Vitalis describes it as starting with a quarrel between Robert and his two younger brothers, William and Henry, including a story that the quarrel was started when William and Henry threw water at Robert, it is much more likely that Robert was feeling powerless.
Selvom Orderic Vitalis beskriver det som, at det startede med et skænderi mellem Robert og hans to yngre brødre, Vilhelm og Henry, inklusive en historie om at skænderiet startede med at Vilhelm og Henrik smed vand på Robert, så er det mere sandsynligt, at Robert følte sig magtesløs.