So the days passed and still William wrestled with the church regarding his pardoning of Robert, his eldest son, and Odo of Bayeux. Finally, after days of negotiation; William so nearly agreeing, then thinking better of it, like pulling out a bad tooth, the clergy prevailed. They managed to extract William's pardon of Robert for the ills the son had done him, and with the fervent help of his half brother, Robert of Mortain, he also agreed to allow Odo freedom from captivity.