On the rumour of the King's death, in April 1136, he was one of the first to break into revolt. Seizing the royal castle of Exeter, he sustained a long siege by the King, and was ultimately allowed to withdraw his forces on giving up the castle. The King then proceeded to the Isle of Wight, took possession of the island, and drove him, with his wife and children, into exile. He took refuge at the Court of the Count of Anjou, and soon afterwards conducted a successful raid into Normandy. About Lent 1138 he was taken prisoner in Normandy by Enguerrand de Say, a partisan of King Stephen. He returned to England in -the autumn of 1139, shortly before the arrival of the Empress Maud, and, landing at Wareham, seized the castle of Corfe. This he defended successfully against the King, forcing him eventually to raise the siege. By the Empress he was created EARL OF DEVON, probably in 1141, and certainly before Midsummer in that year. He married Adelise. He died 4 June 1155, and was buried (as was his said wife) in Quarr Abbey, which he had founded in 1132.