HALL FAMILY HISTORY
Wanda Ware DeGidio
wwdegidio@gmail.com www.hallfamilyname.com
Wanda Ware DeGidio
wwdegidio@gmail.com www.hallfamilyname.com
HALL VIKING LINEAGE
Wymarche, daughter of Richard I, Duke of Normandy and Gunnora d'Arques of Pays de Caux, can be identified from the following: "Both the Vita Aedwardi Regis and William of Poitiers claim some importance for Robert, who according to the former was steward of the royal palace and a kinsman of King Edward, and to the latter was a rich and powerful man, of impeccable lineage, and a relative of Edward's kinsman William the Conqueror. His lineage linked him to the Norman ducal house (hense his relationship to both Edward and William) and he was identified through his mother. His mother was surely therefore a high-born Norman.
The point is underlined by William of Poitiers's statement: Diues quidam... natione Normannus, Rodbertus fillius Guimarae nobilis mulieris. It is not unlikely that Robert is identifiable from charters of the abbey of Montivilliers, near Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, which had a strong connexion with Norman ducal women. One of them features the nun Vuimardis / Wimardis widow of Ansfrid the steward , who gave Ectot to the house c.1046–66, attested by a Robert . She was doubtless the mother at whose request her son Robert de Moyaux ( Calvados , cant. Lisieux-1) later gave to teh house land that Ansfrid had held in the forest of Rouvray. Robert de Moyaux is otherwise known only as the father of a woman who became a nun of Saint-Leger de Preaux in the later eleventh century." Domesday People: Domesday book, 1999, p. 19.
Wymarche's sister was Queen Emma of England and the mother of Princess Goda / Edith who married Drogo de Mantes, Gunhilda, Queen of the Germans, as well as the mother of Edward the Confessor, King of England. Edward the Confessor was the last Anglo-Saxon king who could trace his ancestry back to King Alfred the Great and King Cerdic of Wessex. Below is King Edward being held by Robert fitz Wimarch on the Bayeus Tapestry.
The point is underlined by William of Poitiers's statement: Diues quidam... natione Normannus, Rodbertus fillius Guimarae nobilis mulieris. It is not unlikely that Robert is identifiable from charters of the abbey of Montivilliers, near Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, which had a strong connexion with Norman ducal women. One of them features the nun Vuimardis / Wimardis widow of Ansfrid the steward , who gave Ectot to the house c.1046–66, attested by a Robert . She was doubtless the mother at whose request her son Robert de Moyaux ( Calvados , cant. Lisieux-1) later gave to teh house land that Ansfrid had held in the forest of Rouvray. Robert de Moyaux is otherwise known only as the father of a woman who became a nun of Saint-Leger de Preaux in the later eleventh century." Domesday People: Domesday book, 1999, p. 19.
Wymarche's sister was Queen Emma of England and the mother of Princess Goda / Edith who married Drogo de Mantes, Gunhilda, Queen of the Germans, as well as the mother of Edward the Confessor, King of England. Edward the Confessor was the last Anglo-Saxon king who could trace his ancestry back to King Alfred the Great and King Cerdic of Wessex. Below is King Edward being held by Robert fitz Wimarch on the Bayeus Tapestry.
Gunnora and Richard I were married in 962, they met and became friends when she attended his wedding and was Emma's bridesmaid. "Gonnor, bridesmaid and first friend of Richard, Duke of Normandy, son of William Longsword, married that duke after the death of Emma, his first wife, daughter of Hugh the Great, Count of Paris" Historia Varia, By M. Lodovido Domenichi, p. 796, 1565. Gunnora was the sister of Avelina, wife of Osmond de Conteville who along with Bernard de Senlis, Ivo de Bellèsme, and Bernard the Dane (ancestor of families of Harcourt and Beaumont) joined forces to become the protectors of Richard during his youth after the death of his father.
Ansfrid II was the son of Ansfrid I and Helloe de Beaulac, and Ansfrid I was the son of Hugh the Great and Gerlotte de Blois. At the time of Ansfrid's birth, Gerlotte was married to Hrólfr "Robert" Turstain Hrollaugsson. Gerlotte died during or soon after Ansfrid I's birth. Hugh the Great was a widower at this time and after her death he married Hedwig of Germany. He was without doubt the father of Ansfrid and played a major role in his life, even deciding who Ansfrid married. DNA testing of Anfrid's descendants show they are haplogroup G2a, and Hugh the Great's descendants are also haplogroup G2a, a rare haplogroup. Descendants of Hrólfr' and Rollo's descendant's are haplogroup is R1b. Gerlotte's father was the vassal (knight) of Hugh the Great. More on their DNA can be found on the Hall Family History Main Page. A Viking Genealogy Chart follows.
Ansfrid II was the son of Ansfrid I and Helloe de Beaulac, and Ansfrid I was the son of Hugh the Great and Gerlotte de Blois. At the time of Ansfrid's birth, Gerlotte was married to Hrólfr "Robert" Turstain Hrollaugsson. Gerlotte died during or soon after Ansfrid I's birth. Hugh the Great was a widower at this time and after her death he married Hedwig of Germany. He was without doubt the father of Ansfrid and played a major role in his life, even deciding who Ansfrid married. DNA testing of Anfrid's descendants show they are haplogroup G2a, and Hugh the Great's descendants are also haplogroup G2a, a rare haplogroup. Descendants of Hrólfr' and Rollo's descendant's are haplogroup is R1b. Gerlotte's father was the vassal (knight) of Hugh the Great. More on their DNA can be found on the Hall Family History Main Page. A Viking Genealogy Chart follows.
ROGNVALD "THE WISE" EYSTEINSSON, JARL OF MORE (c840-c890)
The Heimskringla Saga provides us with information about the children of Rognvald “The Wise” Eysteinsson, jarl of More, son of Eystein “Glumra” Ivarson and Ascrida Ragnvaldsdottir. Sons with his 1st unnamed wife, a daughter of 2 slaves, married under “more Danico” in the typical Danish custom.
1. Hallad "Malahulc" Rognvaldson (c864-c920) was the 4th earl of Orkney.
2. Hrollagur "Drogo" Turstain Rognvaldson (c866-896), married Emina, daughter of Baldwin I, Count of Flanders and Judith (844-879) daughter of King Charles II of France and Ermentrude, Countess of Orleans. Judith was previously married to 2 kings of Wessex, father and son, Ethelwulf and Thelbald. After their death, she eloped with Baldwin I against her father's wishes, and with help of the Pope she was forgiven and her father made Baldwin I count of Flanders. Rollo allotted Drogo the northern district of La Manche in the division of Normandy in fiefs.
3. Einar Rognvaldson (c868-) was the 5th earl of Orkney.
Rognvald's sons with his 2nd wife Ragnhild “Hild” Hrolfsdottir (c840-)
4. Thori Rognvaldson “the Silent” (c870-)
5. Ivar Rognvaldson (c872-) jarl of More
6. Hrólfr Rognvaldson “Rollo the Granger”, (c874 Orkney Islands, Scotland-c932 Normandy, France), Poppa (c885-Aft 932) d/o Pepin de Senlis III (c856-922) Count of Senlis and Lord of Valois and Guerlinde of Rennes d/o Gurvand of Rennes and Adalind, (d/o King Erispoe, King of Brittany and Marmohec). Poppa was the sister of Bernard, Count of St. Liz (Senlis) and Valois and protector of her grandson Duke Richard I.
The Heimskrngla Saga tells us Rognvald Eysteinsson (son of Eystein) gave Harald “Finehair" his byname after cutting his hair. Harold had vowed not to cut his hair until he became ruler of all Norway. The fact that Rognvald was given this honor speaks of the friendship between these two men.
Ragnvald sent his son Hallad to Orkney upon the death of his brother and nephew and soon after King Harold bestowed the title of 4th earl of Orkney to Hallad who “took up residence on the Mainland.” Orkneyinga Saga records that, following complaints by farmers about Viking raids, Hallad, “tiring of his rule, gave up the earldom and went back to Norway as a common landholder” which “made him a laughing stock.”
After hearing of Hallad’s return home, Rollo immediately stepped forward and demanded the lordship. His father told him that although he was strong in mind and body, and well-trained in combat, that he was better suited to be the leader of a country.
Einar next made a request to become the 5th jarl of Orkney, and the Saga's tell us, "Ragnvald agreed and said it would please him well that he should not come back, for I little think that thy kin will get honor from thee, for the mother you have, slave-born on each side of her family, you are not likely to make much of a ruler of much else." To everyone's surprise, Einar became a strong ruler with a very large following.
Rollo was upset that his father selected a son conceived out of wedlock to the succession in exclusion of him. He then assembled a ship and gathered a company of strong men to join him on the seas to pillage and raid, an honorable profession among the Northmen. Rollo and his men landed on the island of Vigen and plundered a Norwegian village belonging to his fellow countrymen in strict opposition of king Herold's law. Upon learning of Rollo's defiance, the king caused a court of justice to be held and banished Rollo from Norway. Rollo made his way to the coast of Scotland and found a large community of fellow Northmen who became allies. The Chronicles of England tell us that during the reign of Alfred, "Rollo and his gang: landed in Britain, "and started to harry the land." King Alfred was able to satisfy their demands, and was pleased when they pointed their ships in the direction of France. Reaching France, Rollo besieged Paris and Chartres, and as a compromise with Charles the Simple, they granted the fiefdom of Normandy in exchange for Rollo and his men defending the shores of the Seine river against all invaders.
"What happened to Halladr, the brother who gave up the earldom, we do not know." We first hear of Malahulc when Roger de Toeny is described by William of Jumièges, (translated) of Malahulc who had an uncle Rollo, he was accompanied by the French and Normans and gained strongly. According to “Charters and Records of Neales of Berkeley, Yate and Corsham," By John Alexander Neale, pp. 149-151, "Malahulc had 3 sons: 1) Richard of St. Sauveur, ancestor of the Viscounts of the Cotentin and of the Albinis, Earls of Arundel; 2) Hugh, Sire of Cavalcamp, ancestor of the families of Toeni and Conches; 3) Rodolph, Count of Bayeus, ancestor of the Earls of Chester, and the father of Bothon, Count of Bessin and Bayeux." John Alexander Neale refers to him as, "Malahulc, called Halduc de Tresny or Toesni, descendant of Thor, father of Richard St. Sauveur." According to Neale, Richard received a grant from Rollo of half the Isles of La Manche, and his brother Rodolph received the other half. By 933, Richard de St. Sauveur, Viscounte of the Cotentin is said to have holdings of nearly a third of Normandy. The Viking Age in Caithness, Orkney, and the North Atlantic, By Colleen E. Batey, Judith Jesch, Christopher D. Morris, p. 245.
The Heimskringla Saga provides us with information about the children of Rognvald “The Wise” Eysteinsson, jarl of More, son of Eystein “Glumra” Ivarson and Ascrida Ragnvaldsdottir. Sons with his 1st unnamed wife, a daughter of 2 slaves, married under “more Danico” in the typical Danish custom.
1. Hallad "Malahulc" Rognvaldson (c864-c920) was the 4th earl of Orkney.
2. Hrollagur "Drogo" Turstain Rognvaldson (c866-896), married Emina, daughter of Baldwin I, Count of Flanders and Judith (844-879) daughter of King Charles II of France and Ermentrude, Countess of Orleans. Judith was previously married to 2 kings of Wessex, father and son, Ethelwulf and Thelbald. After their death, she eloped with Baldwin I against her father's wishes, and with help of the Pope she was forgiven and her father made Baldwin I count of Flanders. Rollo allotted Drogo the northern district of La Manche in the division of Normandy in fiefs.
3. Einar Rognvaldson (c868-) was the 5th earl of Orkney.
Rognvald's sons with his 2nd wife Ragnhild “Hild” Hrolfsdottir (c840-)
4. Thori Rognvaldson “the Silent” (c870-)
5. Ivar Rognvaldson (c872-) jarl of More
6. Hrólfr Rognvaldson “Rollo the Granger”, (c874 Orkney Islands, Scotland-c932 Normandy, France), Poppa (c885-Aft 932) d/o Pepin de Senlis III (c856-922) Count of Senlis and Lord of Valois and Guerlinde of Rennes d/o Gurvand of Rennes and Adalind, (d/o King Erispoe, King of Brittany and Marmohec). Poppa was the sister of Bernard, Count of St. Liz (Senlis) and Valois and protector of her grandson Duke Richard I.
The Heimskrngla Saga tells us Rognvald Eysteinsson (son of Eystein) gave Harald “Finehair" his byname after cutting his hair. Harold had vowed not to cut his hair until he became ruler of all Norway. The fact that Rognvald was given this honor speaks of the friendship between these two men.
Ragnvald sent his son Hallad to Orkney upon the death of his brother and nephew and soon after King Harold bestowed the title of 4th earl of Orkney to Hallad who “took up residence on the Mainland.” Orkneyinga Saga records that, following complaints by farmers about Viking raids, Hallad, “tiring of his rule, gave up the earldom and went back to Norway as a common landholder” which “made him a laughing stock.”
After hearing of Hallad’s return home, Rollo immediately stepped forward and demanded the lordship. His father told him that although he was strong in mind and body, and well-trained in combat, that he was better suited to be the leader of a country.
Einar next made a request to become the 5th jarl of Orkney, and the Saga's tell us, "Ragnvald agreed and said it would please him well that he should not come back, for I little think that thy kin will get honor from thee, for the mother you have, slave-born on each side of her family, you are not likely to make much of a ruler of much else." To everyone's surprise, Einar became a strong ruler with a very large following.
Rollo was upset that his father selected a son conceived out of wedlock to the succession in exclusion of him. He then assembled a ship and gathered a company of strong men to join him on the seas to pillage and raid, an honorable profession among the Northmen. Rollo and his men landed on the island of Vigen and plundered a Norwegian village belonging to his fellow countrymen in strict opposition of king Herold's law. Upon learning of Rollo's defiance, the king caused a court of justice to be held and banished Rollo from Norway. Rollo made his way to the coast of Scotland and found a large community of fellow Northmen who became allies. The Chronicles of England tell us that during the reign of Alfred, "Rollo and his gang: landed in Britain, "and started to harry the land." King Alfred was able to satisfy their demands, and was pleased when they pointed their ships in the direction of France. Reaching France, Rollo besieged Paris and Chartres, and as a compromise with Charles the Simple, they granted the fiefdom of Normandy in exchange for Rollo and his men defending the shores of the Seine river against all invaders.
"What happened to Halladr, the brother who gave up the earldom, we do not know." We first hear of Malahulc when Roger de Toeny is described by William of Jumièges, (translated) of Malahulc who had an uncle Rollo, he was accompanied by the French and Normans and gained strongly. According to “Charters and Records of Neales of Berkeley, Yate and Corsham," By John Alexander Neale, pp. 149-151, "Malahulc had 3 sons: 1) Richard of St. Sauveur, ancestor of the Viscounts of the Cotentin and of the Albinis, Earls of Arundel; 2) Hugh, Sire of Cavalcamp, ancestor of the families of Toeni and Conches; 3) Rodolph, Count of Bayeus, ancestor of the Earls of Chester, and the father of Bothon, Count of Bessin and Bayeux." John Alexander Neale refers to him as, "Malahulc, called Halduc de Tresny or Toesni, descendant of Thor, father of Richard St. Sauveur." According to Neale, Richard received a grant from Rollo of half the Isles of La Manche, and his brother Rodolph received the other half. By 933, Richard de St. Sauveur, Viscounte of the Cotentin is said to have holdings of nearly a third of Normandy. The Viking Age in Caithness, Orkney, and the North Atlantic, By Colleen E. Batey, Judith Jesch, Christopher D. Morris, p. 245.
ROLLO THE VIKING (c874 Orkney Islands-c932 Normandy, France)
Hrólfr "Rollo" Rognvaldson “Rollo the Granger”, son of Rognvald Esteinsson, Earl of More, married Poppa (c890-Aft 932) d/o Pepin de Senlis II (c856-902) Count of Senlis and Lord of Valois and Lady of Rennes d/o Gurvand of Rennes and Princess / Lady, (d/o Erispoe, King of Brittany and Marmohec). Poppa was the sister of Bernard, Count of St. Liz (Senlis) and Valois and protector of her grandson Duke Richard I.
“Pepin, the third son of Pepin of Peronne, became count of Senlis and Valois, leaving a [son] Bernard, the Bernard de Senlis [and another] whose name is unknown, was the Poppet, the Bonne-Amie of Rollo." History of Normandy and England, By Sir Thomas Palgrave, 1851, Vol. 1, p. 365. Orderic Vitalis names Poppe, daughter of the Count of Senlis. Rollon then found in Bayeux Poppe, daughter of Berender ... its Censor claims this is entirely false, because Poppe is the daughter of the Count of Senlis according to Saint-Etienne who wrote the Chronicle of Caen ... and because Dudon himself confessed that Richard, grandson of Rollon, was the nephew of Bernard Comte de Senlis. Dissertations On The Movement of Brittany in Relation to the Right that the Dukes of Normandy Claimed, and on some other Historical Subjects. Claude du Moulinet, 1711, pp. 37/38.
In 906, King Charles III, 'le Simple' or Straightforward, (9/17/879–10/7/929), age 27, encountered Rollo, about age 30, the captain and leader of this group. Rollo and his men entered Neustria, and won the city of Rouen, while destroying the surrounding countries. On 8/26/911, Rollo besieged Paris and declared a victory near Chartres. Charles negotiated with Rollo, resulting in the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte which created the Duchy of Normandy. In return for the Vikings' loyalty, they were granted all the land between the river Epte and the sea, as well as Duchy of Brittany, which at the time was an independent country which West Francia had unsuccessfully tried to conquer. King Charles ceded what became Normandy to him in perpetuity and Rollo was baptized. The Longswords planctus, tells us that William was baptized a Christian with his father Rollo in 912, by Franco, Archbishop of Rouen. Also in the agreement was for Rollo to take as his wife Gisele, daughter of Charles. Rollo was likely not fully informed that his future wife was only four years old at the time. "Genealogists, who make her the daughter of Frederune, will be forced to admit that she was married at four years old." Tableaux genealogiques de la Maison Royale de France, By Philippe Labbé · 1654, p. 20.
King Charles married as his first wife in May 907 Frederuna, daughter of Dietrich, Count in the Hamaland. They had six daughters, Gisele, b. 908, Ermentrude, b. 910; Frederuna, b. 912; Adelaide, b. 914; Rotrude, b. 916, and Hildegarde b. 918. Charles married for the second time in 919 to Eadgifu of Wessex. They had son: Louis IV of France (9/10/920–9/10/954), who succeeded to the throne of West Francia in 936. Charles also had several children born out of wedlock: Arnulf, Drogo, Rorice († 976), Bishop of Laon and Alpais, who married Erlebold, count of Lommegau.
In a 918 French charter, Rollo is mentioned where Charles grants him the lands of an abbey "except for the part that we have given to the Northmen of the Seine, namely to Rollo and his companions." Flodoard mentions him three times, in 918, "After the war that Count Robert (Rollo) waged against the Northmen at Chartres, ... they agreed to take up the faith of Christ." In 924, "The Northmen entered peace with the Franks through the oaths of Counts Hugh and Herbert and also Archbishop Seulf, in the absence of King Ralph; but with Ralph's consent the lands of Maine and the Bessin were conceded to them in the peace-treaty." And lastly in 927, "the son of Rollo committed himself to Charles and confirmed friendship with Herbert."
Herbert II Count de Vermandois, for revenge of the Duke Robert, his brother-in-law, committed treason and put King Charles in prison in Peronne, where he died a martyr in the year nine hundred and twenty six. ... During the time that he was in prison, his son Louis IV returned to England with his mother Ogive [Eadgifu] and she later married Herbert III Vermandois, Edith married Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor and Eadhild married Hugh the Great. Also several daughters of Charles the Simple married Garnier, baron de Saint Vallery, Alix was the wife of Taillefer, baron Cambresis, & Gillette [Gisele] [age 4] married Rollo duke of Normandy. Les Antiquitez De La Gaule Belgicque, Royaulme de France, Richard de Wassebourg, 1549, p. xvii. It is highly unlikely that Rollo married a 4 year old child.
From Palgrave we discover that, “Pepin, the third son of Pepin of Peronne, became Count of Senlis and Valois, leaving a son .... Bernard, the Bernard-de-Senlis of the Norman chroniclers. A sister ... was the poppet, the bonne-amie [love interest] of Rollo, and mother of his son and successor, Guillaume-Longue-epee.” History of England, by Sir Thomas Palgrave, 1878, Vol. 1, p. 365. "That Bernard de Senlis was the uncle of her son Guillaume-Longue-Epee is proved by the respective declarations of Guillaume and of Bernard. Dudon, pp. 95 and 118. General relations of mediaeval Europe. The Carlovingian Empire, By Francis Turner Palgrave, 1851, p. 751. William son of Rollo and Poppa was born c912 and their daughter Gerloc was born c914. No other children have been identified.
Poppa was the daughter of Pepin II, lord de Senlis and Valois and Lady de Rennes. Pepin II, brother of Herbert I, was uncle to Herbert II who married Adele, daughter of King Robert of West Francia and King Robert married Beatrice, Herbert II’s sister. All of Herbert II's children were King Robert’s grandchildren and they were Hugh the Great’s cousins. Adele was Hugh’s half-sister by King Robert’s first marriage. Poppa by way of her father Pepin II, was the granddaughter of Pepin I, great granddaughter of Bernard, King of Italy and great great granddaughter of Charlemagne.
Rollo and Poppa’s daughter Gerloc (later taking the Christian name Adele) married William III, son of Ebles the Mamzer, Count of Poitiers and later Count of Aquitaine and Emilienne. William III (913–4/3/963), was the "Count of the Duchy of Aquitaine" from 959 and Duke of Aquitaine from 962 to his death. He was also the Count of Poitou (as William I) from 935 and Count of Auvergne from 950. The primary sources for his reign are Ademar of Chabannes, Dudo of Saint-Quentin, and William of Jumièges. He was born in Poitiers. He claimed the Duchy of Aquitaine from his father's death, but the royal chancery did not recognize his ducal title until the year before his own death.
King Charles’ reign had been troubled from 920-922, after signing the Treaty of Bonn with king Henry the Fowler of East Francia on 11/7/921, he was in conflict with both Duke Gilbert of Lotharingia and Hugh the Great. Upon the death of Gilbert's father in 915/16, Charles refused to install Gilbert as margrave. Gilbert rebelled in 918. In June 922 Charles was forced to take refuge in Lotharingia and after his departure, the nobles of West Francia declared him deposed from the throne. Hugh the Great was under pressure due to the manner in which he was treating his wife Eadgifu. Eadgifu was the daughter of Edward the Elder, King of Wessex and England (son of Alfred the Great) and his second wife Aelfflaed. She was also the sister Eadgyth who was married to Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor and sister of Eadhild who was married to Hugh the Great.
Hugh’s father King Robert I, elected in 922, led an army of Frankish insurgents during the Battle of Soissons on 6/15/923 against an army of Lotharingians and Carolingian forces under the command of the deposed King Charles. Rollo came forward to support Charles II with his Norman warriors after Charles granted them the city of Rouen and areas along the Seine. Even though Robert’s army won the battle, it resulted in the death of King Robert. Charles beseeched his cousin Herbert II, Count of Vermandois for help, but instead Herbert II imprisoned him with the assistance of Hugh the Great.
Herbert II became the King Charles' puppet master and custodian, bringing him out only for official duties. One such duty was to make his five year old son, Hugh, the Archbishop of Rheims, which had a large inheritance in France and Germany. He next secured Laon for Eudes, but Raoul, having little left of his kingdom, refused and Herbert brought Charles from his prison, whereupon William Longsword, count of Rouen and ruler of Normandy, at once saluted him as king, this won the submission from Raoul, and Charles was sent back to his quarters at Peronne.
Hearing of Charles capture, Eadgifu fled to England with their son Louis IV, returning to France with Louis only upon his death and at Hugh the Great’s urging and shortly thereafter married Herbert III. Charles remained a prisoner at Peronne until his death on 10/7/929. After Robert, king of West Francia died on 6/15/923, the crown passed to his brother-in-law Ralph, Duke of Burgundy (923-936) and the newly elected king reversed Norman support from Charles by granting Rollo Bayeux and Maine.
SOURCES
“Pepin, the third son of Pepin of Peronne, became Count of Senlis and Valois, leaving a son ... Bernard, the Bernard de Senlis of the Norman chroniclers. A sister ... of Bernard de Senlis, whose name is unknown, was the poppet, the bonne-amie of Rollo, and mother of his son and successor, Guillaume-Longue-epee. The great families of Valois, Saint-Simon and Hamme, all come from Vermandois.” The History of Normandy and of England: General relations of mediaeval history, By Sir Francis Palgrave, p. 356.
“In a truss of forage the young Duke was carried to the stables, and, ere dawn, was safe in the tower of Couci, under the protection of his great-uncle, stout Bernard de Senlis”. The North American Review, 1858, Vol. 86, p. 316.
Bayeux besieged Rollo, and taken, them the little damsel known only by the fondling appellation of "Popa,” the poupée or poppet, whom he married ... and who gave him a daughter, Gerloc, and his son and successor Guillaume-Longue-épée. Poppet's … brother ... was Bernard-de-Senlis or Senlis-Vermandois. The History of Normandy and of England, Vol. 1. By Sir Francis Palgrave, p. 647.
Hrólfr "Rollo" Rognvaldson “Rollo the Granger”, son of Rognvald Esteinsson, Earl of More, married Poppa (c890-Aft 932) d/o Pepin de Senlis II (c856-902) Count of Senlis and Lord of Valois and Lady of Rennes d/o Gurvand of Rennes and Princess / Lady, (d/o Erispoe, King of Brittany and Marmohec). Poppa was the sister of Bernard, Count of St. Liz (Senlis) and Valois and protector of her grandson Duke Richard I.
“Pepin, the third son of Pepin of Peronne, became count of Senlis and Valois, leaving a [son] Bernard, the Bernard de Senlis [and another] whose name is unknown, was the Poppet, the Bonne-Amie of Rollo." History of Normandy and England, By Sir Thomas Palgrave, 1851, Vol. 1, p. 365. Orderic Vitalis names Poppe, daughter of the Count of Senlis. Rollon then found in Bayeux Poppe, daughter of Berender ... its Censor claims this is entirely false, because Poppe is the daughter of the Count of Senlis according to Saint-Etienne who wrote the Chronicle of Caen ... and because Dudon himself confessed that Richard, grandson of Rollon, was the nephew of Bernard Comte de Senlis. Dissertations On The Movement of Brittany in Relation to the Right that the Dukes of Normandy Claimed, and on some other Historical Subjects. Claude du Moulinet, 1711, pp. 37/38.
In 906, King Charles III, 'le Simple' or Straightforward, (9/17/879–10/7/929), age 27, encountered Rollo, about age 30, the captain and leader of this group. Rollo and his men entered Neustria, and won the city of Rouen, while destroying the surrounding countries. On 8/26/911, Rollo besieged Paris and declared a victory near Chartres. Charles negotiated with Rollo, resulting in the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte which created the Duchy of Normandy. In return for the Vikings' loyalty, they were granted all the land between the river Epte and the sea, as well as Duchy of Brittany, which at the time was an independent country which West Francia had unsuccessfully tried to conquer. King Charles ceded what became Normandy to him in perpetuity and Rollo was baptized. The Longswords planctus, tells us that William was baptized a Christian with his father Rollo in 912, by Franco, Archbishop of Rouen. Also in the agreement was for Rollo to take as his wife Gisele, daughter of Charles. Rollo was likely not fully informed that his future wife was only four years old at the time. "Genealogists, who make her the daughter of Frederune, will be forced to admit that she was married at four years old." Tableaux genealogiques de la Maison Royale de France, By Philippe Labbé · 1654, p. 20.
King Charles married as his first wife in May 907 Frederuna, daughter of Dietrich, Count in the Hamaland. They had six daughters, Gisele, b. 908, Ermentrude, b. 910; Frederuna, b. 912; Adelaide, b. 914; Rotrude, b. 916, and Hildegarde b. 918. Charles married for the second time in 919 to Eadgifu of Wessex. They had son: Louis IV of France (9/10/920–9/10/954), who succeeded to the throne of West Francia in 936. Charles also had several children born out of wedlock: Arnulf, Drogo, Rorice († 976), Bishop of Laon and Alpais, who married Erlebold, count of Lommegau.
In a 918 French charter, Rollo is mentioned where Charles grants him the lands of an abbey "except for the part that we have given to the Northmen of the Seine, namely to Rollo and his companions." Flodoard mentions him three times, in 918, "After the war that Count Robert (Rollo) waged against the Northmen at Chartres, ... they agreed to take up the faith of Christ." In 924, "The Northmen entered peace with the Franks through the oaths of Counts Hugh and Herbert and also Archbishop Seulf, in the absence of King Ralph; but with Ralph's consent the lands of Maine and the Bessin were conceded to them in the peace-treaty." And lastly in 927, "the son of Rollo committed himself to Charles and confirmed friendship with Herbert."
Herbert II Count de Vermandois, for revenge of the Duke Robert, his brother-in-law, committed treason and put King Charles in prison in Peronne, where he died a martyr in the year nine hundred and twenty six. ... During the time that he was in prison, his son Louis IV returned to England with his mother Ogive [Eadgifu] and she later married Herbert III Vermandois, Edith married Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor and Eadhild married Hugh the Great. Also several daughters of Charles the Simple married Garnier, baron de Saint Vallery, Alix was the wife of Taillefer, baron Cambresis, & Gillette [Gisele] [age 4] married Rollo duke of Normandy. Les Antiquitez De La Gaule Belgicque, Royaulme de France, Richard de Wassebourg, 1549, p. xvii. It is highly unlikely that Rollo married a 4 year old child.
From Palgrave we discover that, “Pepin, the third son of Pepin of Peronne, became Count of Senlis and Valois, leaving a son .... Bernard, the Bernard-de-Senlis of the Norman chroniclers. A sister ... was the poppet, the bonne-amie [love interest] of Rollo, and mother of his son and successor, Guillaume-Longue-epee.” History of England, by Sir Thomas Palgrave, 1878, Vol. 1, p. 365. "That Bernard de Senlis was the uncle of her son Guillaume-Longue-Epee is proved by the respective declarations of Guillaume and of Bernard. Dudon, pp. 95 and 118. General relations of mediaeval Europe. The Carlovingian Empire, By Francis Turner Palgrave, 1851, p. 751. William son of Rollo and Poppa was born c912 and their daughter Gerloc was born c914. No other children have been identified.
Poppa was the daughter of Pepin II, lord de Senlis and Valois and Lady de Rennes. Pepin II, brother of Herbert I, was uncle to Herbert II who married Adele, daughter of King Robert of West Francia and King Robert married Beatrice, Herbert II’s sister. All of Herbert II's children were King Robert’s grandchildren and they were Hugh the Great’s cousins. Adele was Hugh’s half-sister by King Robert’s first marriage. Poppa by way of her father Pepin II, was the granddaughter of Pepin I, great granddaughter of Bernard, King of Italy and great great granddaughter of Charlemagne.
Rollo and Poppa’s daughter Gerloc (later taking the Christian name Adele) married William III, son of Ebles the Mamzer, Count of Poitiers and later Count of Aquitaine and Emilienne. William III (913–4/3/963), was the "Count of the Duchy of Aquitaine" from 959 and Duke of Aquitaine from 962 to his death. He was also the Count of Poitou (as William I) from 935 and Count of Auvergne from 950. The primary sources for his reign are Ademar of Chabannes, Dudo of Saint-Quentin, and William of Jumièges. He was born in Poitiers. He claimed the Duchy of Aquitaine from his father's death, but the royal chancery did not recognize his ducal title until the year before his own death.
King Charles’ reign had been troubled from 920-922, after signing the Treaty of Bonn with king Henry the Fowler of East Francia on 11/7/921, he was in conflict with both Duke Gilbert of Lotharingia and Hugh the Great. Upon the death of Gilbert's father in 915/16, Charles refused to install Gilbert as margrave. Gilbert rebelled in 918. In June 922 Charles was forced to take refuge in Lotharingia and after his departure, the nobles of West Francia declared him deposed from the throne. Hugh the Great was under pressure due to the manner in which he was treating his wife Eadgifu. Eadgifu was the daughter of Edward the Elder, King of Wessex and England (son of Alfred the Great) and his second wife Aelfflaed. She was also the sister Eadgyth who was married to Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor and sister of Eadhild who was married to Hugh the Great.
Hugh’s father King Robert I, elected in 922, led an army of Frankish insurgents during the Battle of Soissons on 6/15/923 against an army of Lotharingians and Carolingian forces under the command of the deposed King Charles. Rollo came forward to support Charles II with his Norman warriors after Charles granted them the city of Rouen and areas along the Seine. Even though Robert’s army won the battle, it resulted in the death of King Robert. Charles beseeched his cousin Herbert II, Count of Vermandois for help, but instead Herbert II imprisoned him with the assistance of Hugh the Great.
Herbert II became the King Charles' puppet master and custodian, bringing him out only for official duties. One such duty was to make his five year old son, Hugh, the Archbishop of Rheims, which had a large inheritance in France and Germany. He next secured Laon for Eudes, but Raoul, having little left of his kingdom, refused and Herbert brought Charles from his prison, whereupon William Longsword, count of Rouen and ruler of Normandy, at once saluted him as king, this won the submission from Raoul, and Charles was sent back to his quarters at Peronne.
Hearing of Charles capture, Eadgifu fled to England with their son Louis IV, returning to France with Louis only upon his death and at Hugh the Great’s urging and shortly thereafter married Herbert III. Charles remained a prisoner at Peronne until his death on 10/7/929. After Robert, king of West Francia died on 6/15/923, the crown passed to his brother-in-law Ralph, Duke of Burgundy (923-936) and the newly elected king reversed Norman support from Charles by granting Rollo Bayeux and Maine.
SOURCES
“Pepin, the third son of Pepin of Peronne, became Count of Senlis and Valois, leaving a son ... Bernard, the Bernard de Senlis of the Norman chroniclers. A sister ... of Bernard de Senlis, whose name is unknown, was the poppet, the bonne-amie of Rollo, and mother of his son and successor, Guillaume-Longue-epee. The great families of Valois, Saint-Simon and Hamme, all come from Vermandois.” The History of Normandy and of England: General relations of mediaeval history, By Sir Francis Palgrave, p. 356.
“In a truss of forage the young Duke was carried to the stables, and, ere dawn, was safe in the tower of Couci, under the protection of his great-uncle, stout Bernard de Senlis”. The North American Review, 1858, Vol. 86, p. 316.
Bayeux besieged Rollo, and taken, them the little damsel known only by the fondling appellation of "Popa,” the poupée or poppet, whom he married ... and who gave him a daughter, Gerloc, and his son and successor Guillaume-Longue-épée. Poppet's … brother ... was Bernard-de-Senlis or Senlis-Vermandois. The History of Normandy and of England, Vol. 1. By Sir Francis Palgrave, p. 647.
WILLIAM LONGSWORD (c912 Bayeux, Calvados, Normandy-12/17/942 Picquigny, Amiens, Picardie, France)
Flodoard records William as being the second leader of the Normans. Hugh the Great (c893-6/16/956) took William under his wing as his cousin, adviser, counselor and friend. Dudo says William took power before his father died, although he describes an ailing Rollo bestowing his authority on his son and heir in the presence of a regular ducal council.
“Guillaume nicknamed Longue-espee, because he wore a sword longer than the others, natural son of Rollo" ... "& Poppee, was Duke of Normandy: & espousa Sporta daughter of Hubert Comte de Senlis” Histoire Universelle de Tovtes Nations, Et Specialement des Gavlois Ov Francois, By Jacques de Charron, 1621, p. 859. In 931 William Longsword, was offered the hand of Sprota in marriage by her father Herbert II, Count of Vermandois (c883-2/23/943). Marriage agreements were generally to the benefit both parties, so when Herbert I married Adele of France, daughter of the Merovingian, King Robert I of West Francia, Robert I was given permission to marry Beatrice, Herbert II’s daughter.
William soon escorted his pregnant wife Sprota to Fecamp in Normandy to protect his wife and child. While he was away from Fecamp, he received news by messenger that his wife had given birth to a son on 8/28/932. William sent word back for his son to be baptized and given the name of Richard.
The marriage of William and Sprota survived only a couple of years before she was once again living with her parents. Sometime between 933-934, Sprota ended her marriage to William. Her father Herbert II would have requested a nullification of the marital bonds from the church; as such, William would have been able to remarry and Sprota would not be allowed to remarry as long as William was still alive. Marriages declared null under the Catholic Church are considered as void ab initio, meaning that the marriage was invalid from the beginning. Canon 1137 Law specifically affirms the legitimacy of children born in both valid and putative marriages (objectively invalid, though at least one party celebrated in good faith).
William and Sprota were both baptized Christians as Herbert II’s children were descendants of Charlemagne and the Longsword's planctus, states he was baptized a Christian probably at the same time as his father, which Orderic Vitalis stated was in 912, by Franco, Archbishop of Rouen. One of the grounds for nullity of a marriage in the early Catholic church was, ‘force or grave fear imposed on a person’. According to, The Story of the Normans, By Sarah Orne Jewett, p. 80, 1899. "Espriota, young Richard's mother, thriftily resolved to provide herself with a protector, and married Sperling, a rich miller of Vaudreuil.” Sprota must have faced great danger being William’s wife and the mother of young Richard.
In 935, “Herbert of Vermandois, ... persuaded him [William] to cast off Espriota [Sprota], and marry his second daughter, Luitgard.” The History of the Granville Family, Roger Granville, 1895, p. 7. William agreed and married her sister Luitgarde with a dowry of lands in Longueville, Coudres and Illiers l’Eveque. An original Jumieges charter dated 1012 states that Longueville, given by 'comes Vuillemus Rotomagensis ciuitate' to his wife Leyarda, passes from her to her daughter (by her second husband) Emma, who gave it to Bourgueil; this abbey.
Although William accepted the offer and married Luitgarde, no children were born and after William’s death she quickly married Theobald, Count of Blois, they had five children together. William gladly accepted the dowry from Herbert, and it appears Herbert was extremely desirous of keeping William as his son-in-law by any means for protection from invading Northmen. At the same time William and Luitgarde were married, William's sister Gerloc / Adela married William, Count of Poitou, with the approval of Hugh the Great. Hugh was fulfilling a promise he made to Rollo to take care of his children. Rollo’s granddaughter Adelaide later married Hugh’s son Hugh Capet which would allow his son to be a potential heir to be the ruler of Normandy.
Herbert II was at the height of his power and an obvious candidate for the kingship when Ralph, king of West Francia died in 936. Instead, Hugh the Great urged magnates to accept Louis IV, a 16 year old boy, son of Charles the Simple and Eadgifu (his sister-in-law) as their King. The new king was not capable of controlling his Barons and after William’s brother-in-law, Herluin II, Count of Montreuil, was attacked by Flanders, Herluin appealed to William for help to regain the castle of Montreuil from Arnulf I of Flanders. William went to their assistance in 939, and by doing so he became involved in a war with Arnulf I. This soon became intertwined with the other conflicts troubling the reign of Louis IV.
Arnulf I, Count of Flanders retaliated by attacking Normandy, and he also captured the castle of Montreuil-sur-Mer expelling Herluin. Herluin and William joined forces to retake the castle, and losing the castle was a major setback in Arnulf's ambitions. William's part in it gained him a deadly enemy. The chronicle of Norman-Duke of Normandy states: "William of Normandy had Arnulf I Count of Flanders removed the castle of Montreuil." William was excommunicated for his actions in attacking and destroying several estates belonging to Arnulf. To make amends, William pledged his loyalty to King Louis IV in 940, and in return Louis confirmed lands that had been given to his father Rollo.
Historians claim William Longsword was killed by servants of Theobald of Blois and Arnulf of Flanders leading some to believe Luitgarde may have been involved in William’s death. Luitgarde married Theobald of Blois soon after William's death. “Thibault, knew Comte de Troye & de Champagne because of Luitgarde wife of Thibault le Tricheur Count of Tours, Blois & Chartres ... Glaber says that after he [Theobald] had killed Guillaume Duke of Normandy, he asked Hebert Comte de Vermandois for his daughter in marriage, seen by said William, whom he espoused, and had by her Eudes I. father of Eudes II” L'empire françois ou l'Histoire des conquestes des royaumes, Laurent Turquoy, 1651. In 941 a peace treaty was signed between the Bretons and Normans, brokered in Rouen by Louis IV which limited the Norman expansion into Breton lands.
The following year, on 12/17/942 at Picquigny on an island on the Somme, William Longsword was ambushed and killed by Arnulf's men after being summoned to a peace conference to settle their differences. Count Arnulf died 3/27/964, allegedly murdered by Herluim for the murder of William Longsword. Following William's death, Sprota married Asperling de Vaudreul and had Ralph, Count of Ivry and several daughters who married Norman magnates. Richard was sent to be raised in Bayeux under the guardianship of Bernard de Senlis and the protection of Hugh the Great.
Flodoard records William as being the second leader of the Normans. Hugh the Great (c893-6/16/956) took William under his wing as his cousin, adviser, counselor and friend. Dudo says William took power before his father died, although he describes an ailing Rollo bestowing his authority on his son and heir in the presence of a regular ducal council.
“Guillaume nicknamed Longue-espee, because he wore a sword longer than the others, natural son of Rollo" ... "& Poppee, was Duke of Normandy: & espousa Sporta daughter of Hubert Comte de Senlis” Histoire Universelle de Tovtes Nations, Et Specialement des Gavlois Ov Francois, By Jacques de Charron, 1621, p. 859. In 931 William Longsword, was offered the hand of Sprota in marriage by her father Herbert II, Count of Vermandois (c883-2/23/943). Marriage agreements were generally to the benefit both parties, so when Herbert I married Adele of France, daughter of the Merovingian, King Robert I of West Francia, Robert I was given permission to marry Beatrice, Herbert II’s daughter.
William soon escorted his pregnant wife Sprota to Fecamp in Normandy to protect his wife and child. While he was away from Fecamp, he received news by messenger that his wife had given birth to a son on 8/28/932. William sent word back for his son to be baptized and given the name of Richard.
The marriage of William and Sprota survived only a couple of years before she was once again living with her parents. Sometime between 933-934, Sprota ended her marriage to William. Her father Herbert II would have requested a nullification of the marital bonds from the church; as such, William would have been able to remarry and Sprota would not be allowed to remarry as long as William was still alive. Marriages declared null under the Catholic Church are considered as void ab initio, meaning that the marriage was invalid from the beginning. Canon 1137 Law specifically affirms the legitimacy of children born in both valid and putative marriages (objectively invalid, though at least one party celebrated in good faith).
William and Sprota were both baptized Christians as Herbert II’s children were descendants of Charlemagne and the Longsword's planctus, states he was baptized a Christian probably at the same time as his father, which Orderic Vitalis stated was in 912, by Franco, Archbishop of Rouen. One of the grounds for nullity of a marriage in the early Catholic church was, ‘force or grave fear imposed on a person’. According to, The Story of the Normans, By Sarah Orne Jewett, p. 80, 1899. "Espriota, young Richard's mother, thriftily resolved to provide herself with a protector, and married Sperling, a rich miller of Vaudreuil.” Sprota must have faced great danger being William’s wife and the mother of young Richard.
In 935, “Herbert of Vermandois, ... persuaded him [William] to cast off Espriota [Sprota], and marry his second daughter, Luitgard.” The History of the Granville Family, Roger Granville, 1895, p. 7. William agreed and married her sister Luitgarde with a dowry of lands in Longueville, Coudres and Illiers l’Eveque. An original Jumieges charter dated 1012 states that Longueville, given by 'comes Vuillemus Rotomagensis ciuitate' to his wife Leyarda, passes from her to her daughter (by her second husband) Emma, who gave it to Bourgueil; this abbey.
Although William accepted the offer and married Luitgarde, no children were born and after William’s death she quickly married Theobald, Count of Blois, they had five children together. William gladly accepted the dowry from Herbert, and it appears Herbert was extremely desirous of keeping William as his son-in-law by any means for protection from invading Northmen. At the same time William and Luitgarde were married, William's sister Gerloc / Adela married William, Count of Poitou, with the approval of Hugh the Great. Hugh was fulfilling a promise he made to Rollo to take care of his children. Rollo’s granddaughter Adelaide later married Hugh’s son Hugh Capet which would allow his son to be a potential heir to be the ruler of Normandy.
Herbert II was at the height of his power and an obvious candidate for the kingship when Ralph, king of West Francia died in 936. Instead, Hugh the Great urged magnates to accept Louis IV, a 16 year old boy, son of Charles the Simple and Eadgifu (his sister-in-law) as their King. The new king was not capable of controlling his Barons and after William’s brother-in-law, Herluin II, Count of Montreuil, was attacked by Flanders, Herluin appealed to William for help to regain the castle of Montreuil from Arnulf I of Flanders. William went to their assistance in 939, and by doing so he became involved in a war with Arnulf I. This soon became intertwined with the other conflicts troubling the reign of Louis IV.
Arnulf I, Count of Flanders retaliated by attacking Normandy, and he also captured the castle of Montreuil-sur-Mer expelling Herluin. Herluin and William joined forces to retake the castle, and losing the castle was a major setback in Arnulf's ambitions. William's part in it gained him a deadly enemy. The chronicle of Norman-Duke of Normandy states: "William of Normandy had Arnulf I Count of Flanders removed the castle of Montreuil." William was excommunicated for his actions in attacking and destroying several estates belonging to Arnulf. To make amends, William pledged his loyalty to King Louis IV in 940, and in return Louis confirmed lands that had been given to his father Rollo.
Historians claim William Longsword was killed by servants of Theobald of Blois and Arnulf of Flanders leading some to believe Luitgarde may have been involved in William’s death. Luitgarde married Theobald of Blois soon after William's death. “Thibault, knew Comte de Troye & de Champagne because of Luitgarde wife of Thibault le Tricheur Count of Tours, Blois & Chartres ... Glaber says that after he [Theobald] had killed Guillaume Duke of Normandy, he asked Hebert Comte de Vermandois for his daughter in marriage, seen by said William, whom he espoused, and had by her Eudes I. father of Eudes II” L'empire françois ou l'Histoire des conquestes des royaumes, Laurent Turquoy, 1651. In 941 a peace treaty was signed between the Bretons and Normans, brokered in Rouen by Louis IV which limited the Norman expansion into Breton lands.
The following year, on 12/17/942 at Picquigny on an island on the Somme, William Longsword was ambushed and killed by Arnulf's men after being summoned to a peace conference to settle their differences. Count Arnulf died 3/27/964, allegedly murdered by Herluim for the murder of William Longsword. Following William's death, Sprota married Asperling de Vaudreul and had Ralph, Count of Ivry and several daughters who married Norman magnates. Richard was sent to be raised in Bayeux under the guardianship of Bernard de Senlis and the protection of Hugh the Great.
Sources:
Espriota was the daughter of Hubert, Count of Senlis”. Royal Ancestors of Magna Charta Barons: Including Ancestry of John, 1959, By Carr Pritchett Collins, p. 230.
“Asperling de Vaudreuil was probably born in France in the early tenth century. He married Sporta de Senlis. She was the daughter of Herbert, Count de Senlis. She had married, first, William I, Duke of Normandy. “ Aristocratic and royal ancestors of Jane Harry, 1991, By Leslie Ray Tucker, Vol. 1, p. 60.
”William I. second duke of Normandy, died 942; he married Sprota, daughter of Herbert, count of Senlis.” A survey of Staffordshire, containing the antiquities of that county, 1844, By Sampson Erdeswick, p. 73.
"Espriota or Sprota, the daughter of Herbert, Earl of Senlis" The History of the Granville Family: Traced Back to Rollo, First Duke of Normandy, 1895, By Roger Granville, p. 7.
“William I. married Sprota, daughter of Herbert, Count of Senlis, by whom he had a son and successor called Richard.” Collectanea Cliffordiana: In Three Parts, 1817, By Arthur Clifford, p. 123.
Espriota was the daughter of Hubert, Count of Senlis”. Royal Ancestors of Magna Charta Barons: Including Ancestry of John, 1959, By Carr Pritchett Collins, p. 230.
“Asperling de Vaudreuil was probably born in France in the early tenth century. He married Sporta de Senlis. She was the daughter of Herbert, Count de Senlis. She had married, first, William I, Duke of Normandy. “ Aristocratic and royal ancestors of Jane Harry, 1991, By Leslie Ray Tucker, Vol. 1, p. 60.
”William I. second duke of Normandy, died 942; he married Sprota, daughter of Herbert, count of Senlis.” A survey of Staffordshire, containing the antiquities of that county, 1844, By Sampson Erdeswick, p. 73.
"Espriota or Sprota, the daughter of Herbert, Earl of Senlis" The History of the Granville Family: Traced Back to Rollo, First Duke of Normandy, 1895, By Roger Granville, p. 7.
“William I. married Sprota, daughter of Herbert, Count of Senlis, by whom he had a son and successor called Richard.” Collectanea Cliffordiana: In Three Parts, 1817, By Arthur Clifford, p. 123.
RICHARD I THE FEARLESS (8/28/932 FECAMP, SEINE INFERIEURE, FRANCE-11/20/996)
Richard was likely a happy, carefree youth in Bayeux with his mother Sprota, his father William and grandparents Rollo and Poppa. After Richard's parents divorced in 935, he would have spent his time between Vermandois (between what is now Peronne and St. Quentin) and Fecamp. His early education would have consisted of learning the ways of the French and the Normans. He is known to have been bilingual, speaking a Scandinavian dialect as well as French. His mother Sprota and grandmother Poppa were Christians and both descending from Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; king of France in the late eighth and early ninth centuries and a zealous defender of Christianity. Poppa was the daughter of Pepin III and Guerlinde, a daughter of Prince Gurvand of Rennes (Bernard de Senlis was Poppa’s brother), while Sprota was the daughter of Herbert II and Adele, daughter of King Robert I of West Francia (Hugh the Great was Adele’s half-brother and Sprota’s cousin). Sprota’s sister Luitgard was William second wife.
In 12/17/942, at age 10, when Arnulf I of Flanders sent William a message asking him to meet at Picquigny on an island on the Somme to settle their conflict over Montreuil were he was ambushed and assassinated by Arnulf’s men. With Richard's father no longer a threat, King Louis IV of France installed the young boy in his father's office. Under the influence of Arnulf I, Count of Flanders, the king took him into Frankish territory and placed him in the custody of the count of Ponthieu before the king reneged and seized the lands of the Duchy of Normandy. After the attack, Louis IV divided Normandy, creating Upper and Lower lands and gave the latter to Hugh the Great. The was attack was likely in retribution for the demise of King Louis’ father King Charles the Simple who was held captive by Richard I’s father, Richard’s grandfather Herbert II and Richard’s cousin Prince Hugh the Great from 923 until he died10/7/929.
In 943 the Scandinavian Setric, landing in Normandy with a band of pirates, induced a number of Christian Northmen to apostatize; among them, one Turmod who sought to make a pagan of the young duke. Hugh the Great, Duke of France, and Louis IV, King of France, defeated these invaders and after their victory both sought to set up their own power in Normandy to the detriment of the young Richard whom Louis IV held in semi - captivity at Laon. After making Richard his prisoner Louis divided Normandy in two, creating Upper and Lower lands and gave the latter he gave to Hugh the Great.
In 945 Upon hearing about Richard’s imprisonment and the taking of Normandy, the King of Denmark, Harold ‘bluetooth’ arrived and soundly defeated of Louis IV, holding him prisoner for a time. While Richard was being held in Laon, he encountered friends of his grandfather Rollo named Bernard de Senlis, (brother of his grandmother Poppa), Ivo de Bellèsme, Osmond de Conteville and Bernard the Dane who also assisted in Richard's release, along with pagan forces led by Harald of Bayeux.
In 946/7, Louis, working with Arnulf, persuaded Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor to attack. Richard, Hugh the Great, Norman and Viking leaders and men sent by King Harold of Denmark joined forces. The combined armies of Otto, Arnulf, and Louis were driven from the gates of Rouen, fleeing to Amiens and being decisively defeated. Louis IV was captured and hostages were taken until Louis was forced to recognize Richard as Duke of Normandy. Afterward, a period of peace ensued, with Louis IV dying in 954 and 13 year old Lothair becoming king. The middle-aged Hugh appointed Richard as guardian of his 15-year-old son, Hugh Capet in 955.
Richard I, Duke of Normandy and his Danish wife Gunnora were the parents of all of their ten children. Many sources state several were born to a mistress, but they are actually referring to Gunnora as she and Richard married in 962 after his first wife Emma died in 960. Richard I was betrothed to Hugh the Great's daughter when she was a child. "Gonnor, bridesmaid and first friend of Richard Duke of Normandy, son of William Long Sword, being then married to that Duke after the death of Emma, his first wife, daughter of Hugo the great Count of Paris" Historia Varia, By M. Lodovico Domenichi, p. 796, 1565 (Translated from Italian, available on Google Books).
Emma, at age 17 in 960, married Richard I, Duke of Normandy. and died soon after the wedding, her cause of death is unknown. “After her death, Richard divided her personal effects between the monasteries and the poor”. Source: The Dukes of Normandy: From the Time of Rollo to the Expulsion of King John by Philip Augustus of France, Jonathan Duncan, (London: J. Rickerby, 1839), 48-9.
French writers disliked the Normans and often referred to Gunnora as Richard's concubine, possibly to discredit Richard II and have reason to refer to him and their other children as bastards. However, Italy had little or no reason to refer to Gunnora as Richard's concubine. "He married first Emma, daughter to Hugh le Grand, count of Paris, and father to Hugh Capet, by whom he had no issue; but by a Danish lady of great quality, whose name was Gunnora, whom he first kept as a concubine" ... Da. Gulielm. Gemiticenf. Thom. Walfingham (Translated from French, available on Google Books).
In or about October 962, Richard married Gunnora de Crepon (c946-5/1031) in a Christian ceremony in Normandy, France and their first child Richard II was born on 8/23/963. A few early writers wrote that Emma died in 968 and that Gunnora was kept by Richard as his concubine. This was a fabricated to make Richard’s son Richard II a bastard. Richard and Gunnor de Crepon of Pays de Caux (c946-5/1031) were married in the Christian church following the death of his first wife Emma. There are claims that several of his children were born to a mistress, but this was done to discredit his other children as well. Wace, and other Norman chroniclers refer to Gunnora as a Christian lady of high birth and breeding. The earliest I have found mentioning Gunnora as his concubine was 1757,
"Chronique de Normandie" says, the lady Gunnora made great presents to the churches, particularly Notre Dame de Rouen, to which she presented the most beautiful embroidery, worked by herself and her maidens. She also caused precious cloths to be worked with silks, containing the history and the pictures of the Virgin Mary, and the saints, to ornament the church of Notre Dame d Rouen. After Richard’s death, Gunnora, functioned as countess of Normandy, as well adviser to him while he was alive and to their son Richard II.
Dudo of St. Quentin tells us the family name of de Crepon was of noble Danish blood. French Wikip edia writes: "Roricon de Crepon was the father of Herbastus de Crepon who was the father of Gunnor de Crepon m. Richard I of Normandy." Fracademic.com, states "The Norman Crepon family originally from Calvados, comes from different Scandinavian lineages which belong to the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish nobility.” Herfast / Arfast / Arnfastr, an old Norse name is inscribed in Runes stating it "commemorates Holmfastr and Arnfastr, father and son, who died by fire." Myths of the Pagan North: The Gods of the Norsemen, Christopher Abram · 2011, p. 35. Quickfire is where the exits of a home is blocked by fire to kill the entire family.
Osbern, son of Arfast, abbot os S. Evroult, 1061, described by Ordericus as learned, eloquent, and with a lively genius for the arts of sculpture, architecture, copying MSS., &c. He planned and began the new church of S. Evroult, but died 27 May 1066. Another source on this family writes: “Osbern de Crespon, was the son of Herfast, the brother of the Conqueror's great-grandmother, Gunnor, wife of Richard the first, Duke of Normandy, surnamed Sans-Peur (Herfast and she being children of a knight whose name has not come down to posterity, but who was one of the Northmen who accompanied Rollo)" Source: Annals of Chepstow Castle: Or, Six Centuries of the Lords of Striguil from the Conquest to the Revolution, By John Fitchett Marsh, Sir John Maclean, 1883, p. 1.
Bernard de Senlis (St. Liz) was the brother of Poppa and thus Richard's great uncle. Bernard and Rollo are known to have been companions before Rollo's death, and afterward Barnard became an unwavering protector of both Rollo's son William and grandson Richard. In 946, Richard, undoubtedly with the urging of his great uncle, agreed to "commend" himself to Hugh, Count of Paris. He then allied himself with the Norman and Viking leaders, drove Louis IV out of Rouen, and took back Normandy by 947. In 962 Theobald I, Count of Blois attacked Rouen, Richard’s stronghold, but his army was defeated by the Normans and he retreated never having crossed the Seine. Lothair king of the West Franks stepped in to prevent any further wars between the two. Afterwards, and until his death in 996, Richard concentrated on Normandy itself, and participated less in Frankish politics and petty wars. In lieu of building up the Norman Empire by expansion, he stabilized the realm, and united his followers into a cohesive and formidable principality.
Gunnora's siblings were Duvelina and Herfast de Crepon, Duvelina married Turold of Pont Audemer and they were the parents of 1) Humphrey de Vieilles who married Albreda de la Haye and they had Roger de Beaumont and 2) Josceline who married Hugh Montgomery and they had Roger Montgomery. Herfast de Crepon married an unknown spouse and they were the parents of 1) Osbern de Crepon who married Emma d'Ivry and had William fitz Osbern and 2) Avelina who married Osmund de Vernon and their 3 children surnamed d'Aunou /d'Anet were Fulk, Albreda and Gunnora who m. Gilbert de Brionne (parents of Baldwin de Redvers).
Richard strengthened his relationship with the church, restoring their lands and insured the great monasteries flourished. His reign was marked by an extended period of peace and tranquility. Duke Richard died on 12/29/996 at the age of 64 at Fecamp of natural causes and Duchess Gunnora died of natural causes in 1031 in Normandy, France. Guillaume of Jumièges records that Richard married "Gunnor ex nobilissima Danorum prosapia ortam" translated: The stock of a lady of the highest rank of the Danes Gunnor.
Between 1026-1028 a Charter of Gonnor, then relict of Duke Richard, was delivered to Mont Saint Michel … Britavilla and Domjean which her husband count Richard, of blessed memory, had given her, with more, in dower; chiefly for the good of his soul, her own soul and of her sons count Richard, archbishop Robert, and others, who give their consent .... she bestows on the abbey, lands, cultivated or not, churches, mills, meadows, and all appurtenances, and with all the rents and dues ... to hold free of claim … [Signed] Robert archbishop; Mauger; Robert; Hugh Bishop of Constance; Hugh Bishop of Bayeux; Hugh Sais bishops; Roger Bishop; Norgot Bishop; Heldebert Abbot; William the Abbot; Uspac Abbot; William Laci; [Seal] Robert count; Godfrey; William; Ralph; Tursten; Tescelin sheriff; Herluin; Anschetil sheriff; William, son of Tursten; Hugh Lay; Gerard; Osmund clerks; Geoffrey; Herfast; Neil; Wimund; Anschitill; Milo; Raynald; Odo; Ranulf.
Bertrand son of Toustain [Tursten /Thurstan Thurstain] lord of Bastembourg, and father of Hugues, dit à la Barbe, lord of Montfort & ayeul de Hugues who espoused the daughter of Richard de Beaufou, for the arms attributed to the said Anslech or Lancelot. Anslec de Bastembourg (Lancelot) de Bastembourg, ancestor of the barons of Briquebec, son of Hrolf Turstin, was a powerful lord in early Normandy. Tradition attributes the foundation of the château at Briquebec, in the northern Cotentin Peninsula (la Manche) of Normandy, to the Norman, Anslech. The dukes of Normandy made Bricquebec one of their strongholds.Anslec played a powerful political role after Duke William Longsword was assassinated in December 942. Then, he became part of a triumvirate which directed the future of the Norman duchy during the minority of Richard, partnering with Bernard de Pont-Audemer, Osmond de Conteville and Raoul Taisson. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anslech_de_Bricquebec
Anslech or Anslec de Bricquebec (active in the 930s and 940s) played a major political role in the first days of the duchy of Normandy, though the sources on him are rather opaque.Around 1000, Dudo of Saint-Quentin evoked Anslech as one of the three secretarii to the jarl of the Normans, William I (v.927-942). He thus makes him a part of the entourage close to the son of Rollo.A later source, le Roman de Rou, explains that Anslech supported Guillaume when Rioulf began an important rebellion against him.
We see the same figure again in the writings of William of Jumièges. After the assassination of William I, Anslech, Raoul (called Taisson l'Ancien) and Bernard the Dane formed what William of Jumièges called "guardians of the whole duchy of Normandy", awaiting the majority of the new duke Richard. In 943, they welcomed the king of the Franks, Louis IV to Rouen, who came as overlord to receive the homage of the inhabitants of Rouen.The sagas from Norway and the islands make Anslech a Norman noble, Danish or Norwegian in origin but always from the old Viking nobility. Son of Rollo Turstain Brico (or Hrolf Turstan), a supposed nephew of Rollo, in these he was the grandson of a certain Rollanger Rognvaldsson, a half-brother of Rollo, and the great grandson of Rognvald Eysteinsson.
A tradition held since the 17th century, considers him as the ancestor of the families of Montfort and Bertran via his son Tursten of Bastembourg, he is presented as the founder of the castle of Bricquebec in Cotentin (perhaps at the beginning of the 10th century), from which comes his nickname Anslech of Bricquebec's son Thurstan / Toustain de Bastembourg. Charles Cawley in the Medieval Lands Thurstan de Bastembourg was the son of Anslech de Briquebec, a powerful early Norman lord.Anslech de Briquebec - alias Oslac de Briquebec, a powerful baron, associated with Bernard the Dane in the administration of Normandy - tutor to 'Duke' Richard of Normandy. He married Gillette de Beaumont.
In the rebellion of Richard de St. Saveur against 'Duke' William Longsword, in 933, Anslech is mentioned by Wace as one of the three Barons who alone remained faithful to the Duke, his second cousin, by rendering his military service at the seige of Rouen. Their son was Thurstain de Bastembourg, son of Anslech, left two children: Guillaume, who was baron of Bricquebec, and Hugue-le-Barbu (cum barba) from which the counts of Montfort-sur-Rille descended..
The last died as late as the 14th Century, leaving his large possessions, and the castle of Bricquebec, which one of his early ancestors had built, to his eldest daughter, who carried them by marriage to William Paynel.
Richard was likely a happy, carefree youth in Bayeux with his mother Sprota, his father William and grandparents Rollo and Poppa. After Richard's parents divorced in 935, he would have spent his time between Vermandois (between what is now Peronne and St. Quentin) and Fecamp. His early education would have consisted of learning the ways of the French and the Normans. He is known to have been bilingual, speaking a Scandinavian dialect as well as French. His mother Sprota and grandmother Poppa were Christians and both descending from Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; king of France in the late eighth and early ninth centuries and a zealous defender of Christianity. Poppa was the daughter of Pepin III and Guerlinde, a daughter of Prince Gurvand of Rennes (Bernard de Senlis was Poppa’s brother), while Sprota was the daughter of Herbert II and Adele, daughter of King Robert I of West Francia (Hugh the Great was Adele’s half-brother and Sprota’s cousin). Sprota’s sister Luitgard was William second wife.
In 12/17/942, at age 10, when Arnulf I of Flanders sent William a message asking him to meet at Picquigny on an island on the Somme to settle their conflict over Montreuil were he was ambushed and assassinated by Arnulf’s men. With Richard's father no longer a threat, King Louis IV of France installed the young boy in his father's office. Under the influence of Arnulf I, Count of Flanders, the king took him into Frankish territory and placed him in the custody of the count of Ponthieu before the king reneged and seized the lands of the Duchy of Normandy. After the attack, Louis IV divided Normandy, creating Upper and Lower lands and gave the latter to Hugh the Great. The was attack was likely in retribution for the demise of King Louis’ father King Charles the Simple who was held captive by Richard I’s father, Richard’s grandfather Herbert II and Richard’s cousin Prince Hugh the Great from 923 until he died10/7/929.
In 943 the Scandinavian Setric, landing in Normandy with a band of pirates, induced a number of Christian Northmen to apostatize; among them, one Turmod who sought to make a pagan of the young duke. Hugh the Great, Duke of France, and Louis IV, King of France, defeated these invaders and after their victory both sought to set up their own power in Normandy to the detriment of the young Richard whom Louis IV held in semi - captivity at Laon. After making Richard his prisoner Louis divided Normandy in two, creating Upper and Lower lands and gave the latter he gave to Hugh the Great.
In 945 Upon hearing about Richard’s imprisonment and the taking of Normandy, the King of Denmark, Harold ‘bluetooth’ arrived and soundly defeated of Louis IV, holding him prisoner for a time. While Richard was being held in Laon, he encountered friends of his grandfather Rollo named Bernard de Senlis, (brother of his grandmother Poppa), Ivo de Bellèsme, Osmond de Conteville and Bernard the Dane who also assisted in Richard's release, along with pagan forces led by Harald of Bayeux.
In 946/7, Louis, working with Arnulf, persuaded Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor to attack. Richard, Hugh the Great, Norman and Viking leaders and men sent by King Harold of Denmark joined forces. The combined armies of Otto, Arnulf, and Louis were driven from the gates of Rouen, fleeing to Amiens and being decisively defeated. Louis IV was captured and hostages were taken until Louis was forced to recognize Richard as Duke of Normandy. Afterward, a period of peace ensued, with Louis IV dying in 954 and 13 year old Lothair becoming king. The middle-aged Hugh appointed Richard as guardian of his 15-year-old son, Hugh Capet in 955.
Richard I, Duke of Normandy and his Danish wife Gunnora were the parents of all of their ten children. Many sources state several were born to a mistress, but they are actually referring to Gunnora as she and Richard married in 962 after his first wife Emma died in 960. Richard I was betrothed to Hugh the Great's daughter when she was a child. "Gonnor, bridesmaid and first friend of Richard Duke of Normandy, son of William Long Sword, being then married to that Duke after the death of Emma, his first wife, daughter of Hugo the great Count of Paris" Historia Varia, By M. Lodovico Domenichi, p. 796, 1565 (Translated from Italian, available on Google Books).
Emma, at age 17 in 960, married Richard I, Duke of Normandy. and died soon after the wedding, her cause of death is unknown. “After her death, Richard divided her personal effects between the monasteries and the poor”. Source: The Dukes of Normandy: From the Time of Rollo to the Expulsion of King John by Philip Augustus of France, Jonathan Duncan, (London: J. Rickerby, 1839), 48-9.
French writers disliked the Normans and often referred to Gunnora as Richard's concubine, possibly to discredit Richard II and have reason to refer to him and their other children as bastards. However, Italy had little or no reason to refer to Gunnora as Richard's concubine. "He married first Emma, daughter to Hugh le Grand, count of Paris, and father to Hugh Capet, by whom he had no issue; but by a Danish lady of great quality, whose name was Gunnora, whom he first kept as a concubine" ... Da. Gulielm. Gemiticenf. Thom. Walfingham (Translated from French, available on Google Books).
In or about October 962, Richard married Gunnora de Crepon (c946-5/1031) in a Christian ceremony in Normandy, France and their first child Richard II was born on 8/23/963. A few early writers wrote that Emma died in 968 and that Gunnora was kept by Richard as his concubine. This was a fabricated to make Richard’s son Richard II a bastard. Richard and Gunnor de Crepon of Pays de Caux (c946-5/1031) were married in the Christian church following the death of his first wife Emma. There are claims that several of his children were born to a mistress, but this was done to discredit his other children as well. Wace, and other Norman chroniclers refer to Gunnora as a Christian lady of high birth and breeding. The earliest I have found mentioning Gunnora as his concubine was 1757,
"Chronique de Normandie" says, the lady Gunnora made great presents to the churches, particularly Notre Dame de Rouen, to which she presented the most beautiful embroidery, worked by herself and her maidens. She also caused precious cloths to be worked with silks, containing the history and the pictures of the Virgin Mary, and the saints, to ornament the church of Notre Dame d Rouen. After Richard’s death, Gunnora, functioned as countess of Normandy, as well adviser to him while he was alive and to their son Richard II.
Dudo of St. Quentin tells us the family name of de Crepon was of noble Danish blood. French Wikip edia writes: "Roricon de Crepon was the father of Herbastus de Crepon who was the father of Gunnor de Crepon m. Richard I of Normandy." Fracademic.com, states "The Norman Crepon family originally from Calvados, comes from different Scandinavian lineages which belong to the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish nobility.” Herfast / Arfast / Arnfastr, an old Norse name is inscribed in Runes stating it "commemorates Holmfastr and Arnfastr, father and son, who died by fire." Myths of the Pagan North: The Gods of the Norsemen, Christopher Abram · 2011, p. 35. Quickfire is where the exits of a home is blocked by fire to kill the entire family.
Osbern, son of Arfast, abbot os S. Evroult, 1061, described by Ordericus as learned, eloquent, and with a lively genius for the arts of sculpture, architecture, copying MSS., &c. He planned and began the new church of S. Evroult, but died 27 May 1066. Another source on this family writes: “Osbern de Crespon, was the son of Herfast, the brother of the Conqueror's great-grandmother, Gunnor, wife of Richard the first, Duke of Normandy, surnamed Sans-Peur (Herfast and she being children of a knight whose name has not come down to posterity, but who was one of the Northmen who accompanied Rollo)" Source: Annals of Chepstow Castle: Or, Six Centuries of the Lords of Striguil from the Conquest to the Revolution, By John Fitchett Marsh, Sir John Maclean, 1883, p. 1.
Bernard de Senlis (St. Liz) was the brother of Poppa and thus Richard's great uncle. Bernard and Rollo are known to have been companions before Rollo's death, and afterward Barnard became an unwavering protector of both Rollo's son William and grandson Richard. In 946, Richard, undoubtedly with the urging of his great uncle, agreed to "commend" himself to Hugh, Count of Paris. He then allied himself with the Norman and Viking leaders, drove Louis IV out of Rouen, and took back Normandy by 947. In 962 Theobald I, Count of Blois attacked Rouen, Richard’s stronghold, but his army was defeated by the Normans and he retreated never having crossed the Seine. Lothair king of the West Franks stepped in to prevent any further wars between the two. Afterwards, and until his death in 996, Richard concentrated on Normandy itself, and participated less in Frankish politics and petty wars. In lieu of building up the Norman Empire by expansion, he stabilized the realm, and united his followers into a cohesive and formidable principality.
Gunnora's siblings were Duvelina and Herfast de Crepon, Duvelina married Turold of Pont Audemer and they were the parents of 1) Humphrey de Vieilles who married Albreda de la Haye and they had Roger de Beaumont and 2) Josceline who married Hugh Montgomery and they had Roger Montgomery. Herfast de Crepon married an unknown spouse and they were the parents of 1) Osbern de Crepon who married Emma d'Ivry and had William fitz Osbern and 2) Avelina who married Osmund de Vernon and their 3 children surnamed d'Aunou /d'Anet were Fulk, Albreda and Gunnora who m. Gilbert de Brionne (parents of Baldwin de Redvers).
Richard strengthened his relationship with the church, restoring their lands and insured the great monasteries flourished. His reign was marked by an extended period of peace and tranquility. Duke Richard died on 12/29/996 at the age of 64 at Fecamp of natural causes and Duchess Gunnora died of natural causes in 1031 in Normandy, France. Guillaume of Jumièges records that Richard married "Gunnor ex nobilissima Danorum prosapia ortam" translated: The stock of a lady of the highest rank of the Danes Gunnor.
Between 1026-1028 a Charter of Gonnor, then relict of Duke Richard, was delivered to Mont Saint Michel … Britavilla and Domjean which her husband count Richard, of blessed memory, had given her, with more, in dower; chiefly for the good of his soul, her own soul and of her sons count Richard, archbishop Robert, and others, who give their consent .... she bestows on the abbey, lands, cultivated or not, churches, mills, meadows, and all appurtenances, and with all the rents and dues ... to hold free of claim … [Signed] Robert archbishop; Mauger; Robert; Hugh Bishop of Constance; Hugh Bishop of Bayeux; Hugh Sais bishops; Roger Bishop; Norgot Bishop; Heldebert Abbot; William the Abbot; Uspac Abbot; William Laci; [Seal] Robert count; Godfrey; William; Ralph; Tursten; Tescelin sheriff; Herluin; Anschetil sheriff; William, son of Tursten; Hugh Lay; Gerard; Osmund clerks; Geoffrey; Herfast; Neil; Wimund; Anschitill; Milo; Raynald; Odo; Ranulf.
Bertrand son of Toustain [Tursten /Thurstan Thurstain] lord of Bastembourg, and father of Hugues, dit à la Barbe, lord of Montfort & ayeul de Hugues who espoused the daughter of Richard de Beaufou, for the arms attributed to the said Anslech or Lancelot. Anslec de Bastembourg (Lancelot) de Bastembourg, ancestor of the barons of Briquebec, son of Hrolf Turstin, was a powerful lord in early Normandy. Tradition attributes the foundation of the château at Briquebec, in the northern Cotentin Peninsula (la Manche) of Normandy, to the Norman, Anslech. The dukes of Normandy made Bricquebec one of their strongholds.Anslec played a powerful political role after Duke William Longsword was assassinated in December 942. Then, he became part of a triumvirate which directed the future of the Norman duchy during the minority of Richard, partnering with Bernard de Pont-Audemer, Osmond de Conteville and Raoul Taisson. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anslech_de_Bricquebec
Anslech or Anslec de Bricquebec (active in the 930s and 940s) played a major political role in the first days of the duchy of Normandy, though the sources on him are rather opaque.Around 1000, Dudo of Saint-Quentin evoked Anslech as one of the three secretarii to the jarl of the Normans, William I (v.927-942). He thus makes him a part of the entourage close to the son of Rollo.A later source, le Roman de Rou, explains that Anslech supported Guillaume when Rioulf began an important rebellion against him.
We see the same figure again in the writings of William of Jumièges. After the assassination of William I, Anslech, Raoul (called Taisson l'Ancien) and Bernard the Dane formed what William of Jumièges called "guardians of the whole duchy of Normandy", awaiting the majority of the new duke Richard. In 943, they welcomed the king of the Franks, Louis IV to Rouen, who came as overlord to receive the homage of the inhabitants of Rouen.The sagas from Norway and the islands make Anslech a Norman noble, Danish or Norwegian in origin but always from the old Viking nobility. Son of Rollo Turstain Brico (or Hrolf Turstan), a supposed nephew of Rollo, in these he was the grandson of a certain Rollanger Rognvaldsson, a half-brother of Rollo, and the great grandson of Rognvald Eysteinsson.
A tradition held since the 17th century, considers him as the ancestor of the families of Montfort and Bertran via his son Tursten of Bastembourg, he is presented as the founder of the castle of Bricquebec in Cotentin (perhaps at the beginning of the 10th century), from which comes his nickname Anslech of Bricquebec's son Thurstan / Toustain de Bastembourg. Charles Cawley in the Medieval Lands Thurstan de Bastembourg was the son of Anslech de Briquebec, a powerful early Norman lord.Anslech de Briquebec - alias Oslac de Briquebec, a powerful baron, associated with Bernard the Dane in the administration of Normandy - tutor to 'Duke' Richard of Normandy. He married Gillette de Beaumont.
In the rebellion of Richard de St. Saveur against 'Duke' William Longsword, in 933, Anslech is mentioned by Wace as one of the three Barons who alone remained faithful to the Duke, his second cousin, by rendering his military service at the seige of Rouen. Their son was Thurstain de Bastembourg, son of Anslech, left two children: Guillaume, who was baron of Bricquebec, and Hugue-le-Barbu (cum barba) from which the counts of Montfort-sur-Rille descended..
The last died as late as the 14th Century, leaving his large possessions, and the castle of Bricquebec, which one of his early ancestors had built, to his eldest daughter, who carried them by marriage to William Paynel.
RICHARD I THE FEARLESS (8/28/932 FECAMP, SEINE INFERIEURE, FRANCE-11/20/996)
Richard was likely a happy, carefree youth in Bayeux with his mother Sprota, his father William and grandparents Rollo and Poppa. After Richard's parents divorced in 935, he would have spent his time between Vermandois (between what is now Peronne and St. Quentin) and Fecamp. His early education would have consisted of learning the ways of the French and the Normans. He is known to have been bilingual, speaking a Scandinavian dialect as well as French. His mother Sprota and grandmother Poppa were Christians and both descending from Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; king of France in the late eighth and early ninth centuries and a zealous defender of Christianity. Poppa was the daughter of Pepin III and Guerlinde, a daughter of Prince Gurvand of Rennes (Bernard de Senlis was Poppa’s brother), while Sprota was the daughter of Herbert II and Adele, daughter of King Robert I of West Francia (Hugh the Great was Adele’s half-brother and Sprota’s cousin). Sprota’s sister Luitgard was William second wife.
In 12/17/942, at age 10, when Arnulf I of Flanders sent William a message asking him to meet at Picquigny on an island on the Somme to settle their conflict over Montreuil were he was ambushed and assassinated by Arnulf’s men. With Richard's father no longer a threat, King Louis IV of France installed the young boy in his father's office. Under the influence of Arnulf I, Count of Flanders, the king took him into Frankish territory and placed him in the custody of the count of Ponthieu before the king reneged and seized the lands of the Duchy of Normandy. After the attack, Louis IV divided Normandy, creating Upper and Lower lands and gave the latter to Hugh the Great. The was attack was likely in retribution for the demise of King Louis’ father King Charles the Simple who was held captive by Richard I’s father, Richard’s grandfather Herbert II and Richard’s cousin Prince Hugh the Great from 923 until he died 10/7/929.
In 943 the Scandinavian Setric, landing in Normandy with a band of pirates, induced a number of Christian Northmen to apostatize; among them, one Turmod who sought to make a pagan of the young duke. Hugh the Great, Duke of France, and Louis IV, King of France, defeated these invaders and after their victory both sought to set up their own power in Normandy to the detriment of the young Richard whom Louis IV held in semi - captivity at Laon. After making Richard his prisoner Louis divided Normandy in two, creating Upper and Lower lands and gave the latter he gave to Hugh the Great.
In 945 Upon hearing about Richard’s imprisonment and the taking of Normandy, the King of Denmark, Harold ‘bluetooth’ arrived and soundly defeated of Louis IV, holding him prisoner for a time. While Richard was being held in Laon, he encountered friends of his grandfather Rollo named Bernard de Senlis, (brother of his grandmother Poppa), Ivo de Bellèsme, Osmond de Conteville and Bernard the Dane who also assisted in Richard's release, along with pagan forces led by Harold of Bayeux.
In 946/7, Louis, working with Arnulf, persuaded Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor to attack. Richard, Hugh the Great, Norman and Viking leaders and men sent by King Harold of Denmark joined forces. The combined armies of Otto, Arnulf, and Louis were driven from the gates of Rouen, fleeing to Amiens and being decisively defeated. Louis IV was captured and hostages were taken until Louis was forced to recognize Richard as Duke of Normandy. Afterward, a period of peace ensued, with Louis IV dying in 954 and 13 year old Lothair becoming king. The middle-aged Hugh appointed Richard as guardian of his 15-year-old son, Hugh Capet in 955.
Richard I, Duke of Normandy and his Danish wife Gunnora were the parents of all of their ten children. Many sources state several were born to a mistress, but they are actually referring to Gunnora as she and Richard married in 962 after his first wife Emma died in 960 of an unknown cause. French writers disliked the Normans and often referred to Gunnora as Richard's concubine, possibly to discredit Richard II and have reason to refer to him and their other children as bastards. "He married first Emma, daughter to Hugh le Grand, count of Paris, and father to Hugh Capet, by whom he had no issue; but by a Danish lady of great quality, whose name was Gunnora, whom he first kept as a concubine" ... Da. Gulielm. Gemiticenf. Thom. Walfingham (Translated from French, available on Google Books).
Richard I was betrothed to Hugh the Great's daughter when she was a child. "Gonnor, bridesmaid and first friend of Richard Duke of Normandy, son of William Long Sword, being then married to that Duke after the death of Emma, his first wife, daughter of Hugo the great Count of Paris" Historia Varia, By M. Lodovico Domenichi, p. 796, 1565 (Translated from Italian, available on Google Books). “After her death, Richard divided her personal effects between the monasteries and the poor”. Source: The Dukes of Normandy: From the Time of Rollo to the Expulsion of King John by Philip Augustus of France, Jonathan Duncan, (London: J. Rickerby, 1839), 48-9.
As early as October 962, Richard married Gunnora de Crepon (c946-5/1031) in a Christian ceremony in Normandy, France and their first child Richard II was born on 8/23/963. Richard and Gunnor de Crepon of Pays de Caux (c946-5/1031) were the parents of all their ten children and were married in the Christian church. Wace, and other Norman chroniclers refer to Gunnora as a Christian lady of high birth and breeding. "Chronique de Normandie" says, the lady Gunnora made great presents to the churches, particularly Notre Dame de Rouen, to which she presented the most beautiful embroidery, worked by herself and her maidens. She also caused precious cloths to be worked with silks, containing the history and the pictures of the Virgin Mary, and the saints, to ornament the church of Notre Dame d Rouen. After Richard’s death, Gunnora, functioned as countess of Normandy, as well adviser to him while he was alive and to their son Richard II.
Dudo of St. Quentin tells us the family name of de Crepon was of noble Danish blood. French Wikipedia states: "Roricon de Crepon was the father of Herbastus de Crepon who was the father of Gunnor de Crepon m. Richard I of Normandy." Fracademic.com, states "The Norman Crepon family originally from Calvados, comes from different Scandinavian lineages which belong to the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish nobility.” Herfast / Arfast / Arnfastr, is an old Norse name and is inscribed in Runes stating it "commemorates Holmfastr and Arnfastr, father and son, who died by fire." Myths of the Pagan North: The Gods of the Norsemen, Christopher Abram · 2011, p. 35. Quickfire is a method of burning the occupants of a family inside their home in the middle of the night by blocking the exits with fire.
Osbern, son of Arfast, abbot os S. Evroult, 1061, described by Ordericus as learned, eloquent, and with a lively genius for the arts of sculpture, architecture, copying MSS., &c. He planned and began the new church of S. Evroult, but died 27 May 1066. Another source on this family writes: “Osbern de Crespon, was the son of Herfast, the brother of the Conqueror's great-grandmother, Gunnor, wife of Richard the first, Duke of Normandy, surnamed Sans-Peur (Herfast and she being children of a knight whose name has not come down to posterity, but who was one of the Northmen who accompanied Rollo)" Source: Annals of Chepstow Castle: Or, Six Centuries of the Lords of Striguil from the Conquest to the Revolution, By John Fitchett Marsh, Sir John Maclean, 1883, p. 1.
Bernard de Senlis (St. Liz) was the brother of Poppa and thus Richard's great uncle. Bernard and Rollo are known to have been companions before Rollo's death, and afterward Barnard became an unwavering protector of both Rollo's son William and grandson Richard. In 946, Richard, undoubtedly with the urging of his great uncle, agreed to "commend" himself to Hugh, Count of Paris. He then allied himself with the Norman and Viking leaders, drove Louis IV out of Rouen, and took back Normandy by 947. In 962 Theobald I, Count of Blois attacked Rouen, Richard’s stronghold, but his army was defeated by the Normans and he retreated never having crossed the Seine. Lothair king of the West Franks stepped in to prevent any further wars between the two. Afterwards, and until his death in 996, Richard concentrated on Normandy itself, and participated less in Frankish politics and petty wars. In lieu of building up the Norman Empire by expansion, he stabilized the realm, and united his followers into a cohesive and formidable principality.
It is also said that Gunnora was from a rival Viking group in the Cotentin wherein he formed another strategic alliance and she lived in an area that remains to be one of the few strongholds of the Cauchois dialect of the Norman language outside the Cotentin. This left an enduring legacy in the Cauchois dialect and in the ethnic makeup of the Cauchois Normans in Pays de Caux. It is reasonable to assume Gunnora's family was well-known to Richard I prior to his initial meeting with her as mentioned by Robert of Torigni. Her sisters formed the core group that provided loyal followers to him and his successors. Later their daughters provided valuable marriage alliances with powerful neighboring counts as well as to the king of England. Gunnora's siblings were: 1) Avelina (c962-) who married Osmond fitz-Ansfrid I (c962-) Viscomte de Vernon, de Conteville, de Bolbec; 2) Herfast / Arfast de Crepon who married an unknown spouse; 3) Duvelina who married Turold Pont Audemer, and lastly; 4) Seinfreda (c948-) who disappears from history after the fabricated story of how Richard met Gunnora in the woods while hunting and was so overcome by her beauty he married her immediately.
Richard strengthened his relationship with the church, restoring their lands and insured the great monasteries flourished. His reign was marked by an extended period of peace and tranquility. Duke Richard died on 12/29/996 at the age of 64 at Fecamp of natural causes and Duchess Gunnora died of natural causes in 1031 in Normandy, France. Guillaume of Jumièges records that Richard married "Gunnor ex nobilissima Danorum prosapia ortam" translated: The stock of a lady of the highest rank of the Danes Gunnor.
Between 1026-1028 a Charter of 'Gonnor', then relict of Duke Richard, was delivered to Mont Saint Michel … Britavilla and Domjean which her husband count Richard, of blessed memory, had given her, with more, in dower; chiefly for the good of his soul, her own soul and of her sons count Richard, archbishop Robert, and others, who give their consent .... she bestows on the abbey, lands, cultivated or not, churches, mills, meadows, and all appurtenances, and with all the rents and dues ... to hold free of claim … [Signed] Robert archbishop; Manger; Robert; Hugh Bishop of Constance; Hugh Bishop of Bayeux; Hugh Sais bishops; Roger Bishop; Norgot Bishop; Heldebert Abbot; William the Abbot; Uspac Abbot; William Laci; [Seal] Robert count; Godfrey; William; Ralph; Tursten; Tescelin sheriff; Herluin; Anschetil sheriff; William, son of Tursten; Hugh Lay; Gerard; Osmund clerks; Geoffrey; Herfast; Neil; Wimund; Anschitill; Milo; Raynald; Odo; Ranulf.
The painting of Richard's children is a version of the one completed in the 11th century. This one includes all of Richard's 10 children. In the original the only children shown were Richard II, Robert, Mauger, William, Emma, Hawise and Maud. Dudo IV, 125, pg. 163-164. Dudo informs us that Gunnora is documented to be the mother of five sons and three daughters with her husband Richard the Fearless (others have since been documented). Guillaume de Jumièges names six children: Richard II, Robert, and Mauger, Emma, Hawise and Maud, giving their marriages, and names sons Geoffrey and William and two daughters. Gunnora is often referred to as his mistress without providing her name. Gunnora's charter, following Richard's death, specifically mentions her sons Richard and Robert and the document was witnessed by William (Willelmi), Mauger (Maalgerii), and Geoffrey (Godefridi) without specifically naming them as her sons. No other mistress has been named or documented.
The foundation charter of the nunnery of Montivilliers was signed at Fecamp on 13 Jan 1035 by Robert, duke of Normandy who died 3 Jul 1035. This charter features the nun "Wimardis", widow of Ansfrid the steward who gave Ectot [possibly Saint-Germain-d'Ectot, in Calvados] to this religious house, as later attested by their son Robert. Robert de Moyaux [in Calvados] (at the request of his mother Wimardis) gave to this religious house land that Ansfrid had held in the forest of Rouvray. Guimara Wimarche was a widow at the time she entered the monastery, therefore her husband, Ansfrid, died prior to that date. The Benedictine nuns had Beatrice, the aunt of the Duke [Robert], for abbess. Normandy: Its Charm, Its curiosities, Its Antiquities, Its History, Its Topography, By, Sisley Huddleston, 1929, p.129. In other documents pertaining to this nunnery we find signatures of Duke Robert, Wymarch and her husband Ansfrid and their son Robert fitz Wymarc as well as Beatrix.
From various source documents, we know Robert fitz Wymarc was a cousin (sonsanguineus) of duke William and close enough to Edward, son of Emma de Normandy, to be s pictured on the Bayeux Tapestry holding Edward the Confessor at the time of his death. Papia is identified by Orderic Vitalis who describes her as the daughter of "Ricardi iunioris ducis Normannorum", and Robert of Torigny names Godfrey and William as sons of Richard, duke of Normandy.
William of Jumieges tells us that, "Mauger was the son of Richard I and Gunnor, a relationship that finds confirmation in the witness list of a charter surviving in original form and dated 1012," and he also writes "Maud was daughter to Richard I., Duke of Normandy, wife of Odo, Earl of Blois and Chartres". Hawise, upon her husband Goeffrey's death took the role of Regent and her brother Richard II, Duke of Normandy became Guardian of Brittany. Richard I was honor bound and took up a new role as guardian for Emma's brother Hugh Capet.
Richard I of Normandy and Gunnora of Pays de Caux were the parents of ten children:
1. Richard II, Duke of Normandy, (8/23/963-8/28/1026/27), m. Judith of Brittany (c963-8/28/1027)
2. Robert of Normandy, (ca. 965-1037), Archbishop of Rouen, Count of Evreux, as the second son, he was raise by his father to the archiepiscopal see of Rouen (989-1037) to which he was devoted, he wed Herleva [daughter of Sprota and Asperling de Vaudreuil]. He converted Olaus, a Northman King, to Christianity; and founded the Church of Rouen.
3. Godfrey, Count of Eu (ca. 967-c1015) named son of duke "Richard the elder" by Orderic Vitalis, who specifies that his father gave Brionne "with the whole county" to him as Comte de" Eu after 996. Robert of Torigny names him as "unus Godefridus alter … Willermus" as sons of Richard, Duke of Normandy. Geoffrey married about 961 to Heloise, daughter of Sigfrid, Count of Guines and Elstrude de Flanders. Elstrude was the daughter of Arnulf I of Flanders and Adele de Vermandois and granddaughter of Baldwin II, Count of Flanders and Aelfthryth, daughter of king Alfred of England.
4. Mauger of Normandy, (ca. 969-) Earl of Corbeil m. Germaine de Corbeil - "Malinger or Mauger, the third son of Richard the Fearless, third Duke of Normandy, and direct ancestor of the Granville family, obtained the Earldom of Corbeil by his first marriage in the year 1012 with Germaine de Corbeil" - The History of the Granville Family, 1859, p. 15. .
5. Maud of Normandy, (ca. 971-) m. Odo II of Blois (c970-11/15/1037)
6. Wymarch (ca. 973-) m. Ansfrid II (c966-1054) Robert FitzWimarc de Moyaux, her son, is pictured on the Bayeux Tapestry holding Edward the Confessor at his death.
7. Hawise of Normandy, (ca. 977-2/21/1034) m. Geoffrey I, Duke of Brittany (c975-c1028), she took the role of Regent and her brother Richard II, Duke of Normandy became Guardian of Brittany, upon Geoffrey's death.
8. Emma of Normandy, (ca. 979-3/6/1052) m. Ethelred II and his son Canute, Kings of England.
9. Beatrix (ca. 981-1/18/1035) m. Ebles Turenne - The Miracles of Sainte-Foy attribute a miracle to "Lady Beatrice his [Lord Ebalus] wife…soon to lose him through divorce" involving her freeing pilgrims from captivity near Turenne. She returned to Normandy after her divorce and was appointed Abbess of Montivilliers [1035] m. (before 1001, divorced) as his first wife, Ebles Vicomte de Turenne, son of Archambaud "Jambe-Pourrie" Vicomte de Comborn & his wife Sulpicie de Turenne (-after 1021). A charter shows that Duke Robert of Normandy established in 1035 the Abbey of Montivilliers.
10. William, Count of Eu (ca. 983-), Robert of Torigny writes "unus Godefridus alter … Willermus" as sons of Richard, Duke of Normandy m. Lasceline de Turqueville.
Richard was likely a happy, carefree youth in Bayeux with his mother Sprota, his father William and grandparents Rollo and Poppa. After Richard's parents divorced in 935, he would have spent his time between Vermandois (between what is now Peronne and St. Quentin) and Fecamp. His early education would have consisted of learning the ways of the French and the Normans. He is known to have been bilingual, speaking a Scandinavian dialect as well as French. His mother Sprota and grandmother Poppa were Christians and both descending from Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; king of France in the late eighth and early ninth centuries and a zealous defender of Christianity. Poppa was the daughter of Pepin III and Guerlinde, a daughter of Prince Gurvand of Rennes (Bernard de Senlis was Poppa’s brother), while Sprota was the daughter of Herbert II and Adele, daughter of King Robert I of West Francia (Hugh the Great was Adele’s half-brother and Sprota’s cousin). Sprota’s sister Luitgard was William second wife.
In 12/17/942, at age 10, when Arnulf I of Flanders sent William a message asking him to meet at Picquigny on an island on the Somme to settle their conflict over Montreuil were he was ambushed and assassinated by Arnulf’s men. With Richard's father no longer a threat, King Louis IV of France installed the young boy in his father's office. Under the influence of Arnulf I, Count of Flanders, the king took him into Frankish territory and placed him in the custody of the count of Ponthieu before the king reneged and seized the lands of the Duchy of Normandy. After the attack, Louis IV divided Normandy, creating Upper and Lower lands and gave the latter to Hugh the Great. The was attack was likely in retribution for the demise of King Louis’ father King Charles the Simple who was held captive by Richard I’s father, Richard’s grandfather Herbert II and Richard’s cousin Prince Hugh the Great from 923 until he died 10/7/929.
In 943 the Scandinavian Setric, landing in Normandy with a band of pirates, induced a number of Christian Northmen to apostatize; among them, one Turmod who sought to make a pagan of the young duke. Hugh the Great, Duke of France, and Louis IV, King of France, defeated these invaders and after their victory both sought to set up their own power in Normandy to the detriment of the young Richard whom Louis IV held in semi - captivity at Laon. After making Richard his prisoner Louis divided Normandy in two, creating Upper and Lower lands and gave the latter he gave to Hugh the Great.
In 945 Upon hearing about Richard’s imprisonment and the taking of Normandy, the King of Denmark, Harold ‘bluetooth’ arrived and soundly defeated of Louis IV, holding him prisoner for a time. While Richard was being held in Laon, he encountered friends of his grandfather Rollo named Bernard de Senlis, (brother of his grandmother Poppa), Ivo de Bellèsme, Osmond de Conteville and Bernard the Dane who also assisted in Richard's release, along with pagan forces led by Harold of Bayeux.
In 946/7, Louis, working with Arnulf, persuaded Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor to attack. Richard, Hugh the Great, Norman and Viking leaders and men sent by King Harold of Denmark joined forces. The combined armies of Otto, Arnulf, and Louis were driven from the gates of Rouen, fleeing to Amiens and being decisively defeated. Louis IV was captured and hostages were taken until Louis was forced to recognize Richard as Duke of Normandy. Afterward, a period of peace ensued, with Louis IV dying in 954 and 13 year old Lothair becoming king. The middle-aged Hugh appointed Richard as guardian of his 15-year-old son, Hugh Capet in 955.
Richard I, Duke of Normandy and his Danish wife Gunnora were the parents of all of their ten children. Many sources state several were born to a mistress, but they are actually referring to Gunnora as she and Richard married in 962 after his first wife Emma died in 960 of an unknown cause. French writers disliked the Normans and often referred to Gunnora as Richard's concubine, possibly to discredit Richard II and have reason to refer to him and their other children as bastards. "He married first Emma, daughter to Hugh le Grand, count of Paris, and father to Hugh Capet, by whom he had no issue; but by a Danish lady of great quality, whose name was Gunnora, whom he first kept as a concubine" ... Da. Gulielm. Gemiticenf. Thom. Walfingham (Translated from French, available on Google Books).
Richard I was betrothed to Hugh the Great's daughter when she was a child. "Gonnor, bridesmaid and first friend of Richard Duke of Normandy, son of William Long Sword, being then married to that Duke after the death of Emma, his first wife, daughter of Hugo the great Count of Paris" Historia Varia, By M. Lodovico Domenichi, p. 796, 1565 (Translated from Italian, available on Google Books). “After her death, Richard divided her personal effects between the monasteries and the poor”. Source: The Dukes of Normandy: From the Time of Rollo to the Expulsion of King John by Philip Augustus of France, Jonathan Duncan, (London: J. Rickerby, 1839), 48-9.
As early as October 962, Richard married Gunnora de Crepon (c946-5/1031) in a Christian ceremony in Normandy, France and their first child Richard II was born on 8/23/963. Richard and Gunnor de Crepon of Pays de Caux (c946-5/1031) were the parents of all their ten children and were married in the Christian church. Wace, and other Norman chroniclers refer to Gunnora as a Christian lady of high birth and breeding. "Chronique de Normandie" says, the lady Gunnora made great presents to the churches, particularly Notre Dame de Rouen, to which she presented the most beautiful embroidery, worked by herself and her maidens. She also caused precious cloths to be worked with silks, containing the history and the pictures of the Virgin Mary, and the saints, to ornament the church of Notre Dame d Rouen. After Richard’s death, Gunnora, functioned as countess of Normandy, as well adviser to him while he was alive and to their son Richard II.
Dudo of St. Quentin tells us the family name of de Crepon was of noble Danish blood. French Wikipedia states: "Roricon de Crepon was the father of Herbastus de Crepon who was the father of Gunnor de Crepon m. Richard I of Normandy." Fracademic.com, states "The Norman Crepon family originally from Calvados, comes from different Scandinavian lineages which belong to the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish nobility.” Herfast / Arfast / Arnfastr, is an old Norse name and is inscribed in Runes stating it "commemorates Holmfastr and Arnfastr, father and son, who died by fire." Myths of the Pagan North: The Gods of the Norsemen, Christopher Abram · 2011, p. 35. Quickfire is a method of burning the occupants of a family inside their home in the middle of the night by blocking the exits with fire.
Osbern, son of Arfast, abbot os S. Evroult, 1061, described by Ordericus as learned, eloquent, and with a lively genius for the arts of sculpture, architecture, copying MSS., &c. He planned and began the new church of S. Evroult, but died 27 May 1066. Another source on this family writes: “Osbern de Crespon, was the son of Herfast, the brother of the Conqueror's great-grandmother, Gunnor, wife of Richard the first, Duke of Normandy, surnamed Sans-Peur (Herfast and she being children of a knight whose name has not come down to posterity, but who was one of the Northmen who accompanied Rollo)" Source: Annals of Chepstow Castle: Or, Six Centuries of the Lords of Striguil from the Conquest to the Revolution, By John Fitchett Marsh, Sir John Maclean, 1883, p. 1.
Bernard de Senlis (St. Liz) was the brother of Poppa and thus Richard's great uncle. Bernard and Rollo are known to have been companions before Rollo's death, and afterward Barnard became an unwavering protector of both Rollo's son William and grandson Richard. In 946, Richard, undoubtedly with the urging of his great uncle, agreed to "commend" himself to Hugh, Count of Paris. He then allied himself with the Norman and Viking leaders, drove Louis IV out of Rouen, and took back Normandy by 947. In 962 Theobald I, Count of Blois attacked Rouen, Richard’s stronghold, but his army was defeated by the Normans and he retreated never having crossed the Seine. Lothair king of the West Franks stepped in to prevent any further wars between the two. Afterwards, and until his death in 996, Richard concentrated on Normandy itself, and participated less in Frankish politics and petty wars. In lieu of building up the Norman Empire by expansion, he stabilized the realm, and united his followers into a cohesive and formidable principality.
It is also said that Gunnora was from a rival Viking group in the Cotentin wherein he formed another strategic alliance and she lived in an area that remains to be one of the few strongholds of the Cauchois dialect of the Norman language outside the Cotentin. This left an enduring legacy in the Cauchois dialect and in the ethnic makeup of the Cauchois Normans in Pays de Caux. It is reasonable to assume Gunnora's family was well-known to Richard I prior to his initial meeting with her as mentioned by Robert of Torigni. Her sisters formed the core group that provided loyal followers to him and his successors. Later their daughters provided valuable marriage alliances with powerful neighboring counts as well as to the king of England. Gunnora's siblings were: 1) Avelina (c962-) who married Osmond fitz-Ansfrid I (c962-) Viscomte de Vernon, de Conteville, de Bolbec; 2) Herfast / Arfast de Crepon who married an unknown spouse; 3) Duvelina who married Turold Pont Audemer, and lastly; 4) Seinfreda (c948-) who disappears from history after the fabricated story of how Richard met Gunnora in the woods while hunting and was so overcome by her beauty he married her immediately.
Richard strengthened his relationship with the church, restoring their lands and insured the great monasteries flourished. His reign was marked by an extended period of peace and tranquility. Duke Richard died on 12/29/996 at the age of 64 at Fecamp of natural causes and Duchess Gunnora died of natural causes in 1031 in Normandy, France. Guillaume of Jumièges records that Richard married "Gunnor ex nobilissima Danorum prosapia ortam" translated: The stock of a lady of the highest rank of the Danes Gunnor.
Between 1026-1028 a Charter of 'Gonnor', then relict of Duke Richard, was delivered to Mont Saint Michel … Britavilla and Domjean which her husband count Richard, of blessed memory, had given her, with more, in dower; chiefly for the good of his soul, her own soul and of her sons count Richard, archbishop Robert, and others, who give their consent .... she bestows on the abbey, lands, cultivated or not, churches, mills, meadows, and all appurtenances, and with all the rents and dues ... to hold free of claim … [Signed] Robert archbishop; Manger; Robert; Hugh Bishop of Constance; Hugh Bishop of Bayeux; Hugh Sais bishops; Roger Bishop; Norgot Bishop; Heldebert Abbot; William the Abbot; Uspac Abbot; William Laci; [Seal] Robert count; Godfrey; William; Ralph; Tursten; Tescelin sheriff; Herluin; Anschetil sheriff; William, son of Tursten; Hugh Lay; Gerard; Osmund clerks; Geoffrey; Herfast; Neil; Wimund; Anschitill; Milo; Raynald; Odo; Ranulf.
The painting of Richard's children is a version of the one completed in the 11th century. This one includes all of Richard's 10 children. In the original the only children shown were Richard II, Robert, Mauger, William, Emma, Hawise and Maud. Dudo IV, 125, pg. 163-164. Dudo informs us that Gunnora is documented to be the mother of five sons and three daughters with her husband Richard the Fearless (others have since been documented). Guillaume de Jumièges names six children: Richard II, Robert, and Mauger, Emma, Hawise and Maud, giving their marriages, and names sons Geoffrey and William and two daughters. Gunnora is often referred to as his mistress without providing her name. Gunnora's charter, following Richard's death, specifically mentions her sons Richard and Robert and the document was witnessed by William (Willelmi), Mauger (Maalgerii), and Geoffrey (Godefridi) without specifically naming them as her sons. No other mistress has been named or documented.
The foundation charter of the nunnery of Montivilliers was signed at Fecamp on 13 Jan 1035 by Robert, duke of Normandy who died 3 Jul 1035. This charter features the nun "Wimardis", widow of Ansfrid the steward who gave Ectot [possibly Saint-Germain-d'Ectot, in Calvados] to this religious house, as later attested by their son Robert. Robert de Moyaux [in Calvados] (at the request of his mother Wimardis) gave to this religious house land that Ansfrid had held in the forest of Rouvray. Guimara Wimarche was a widow at the time she entered the monastery, therefore her husband, Ansfrid, died prior to that date. The Benedictine nuns had Beatrice, the aunt of the Duke [Robert], for abbess. Normandy: Its Charm, Its curiosities, Its Antiquities, Its History, Its Topography, By, Sisley Huddleston, 1929, p.129. In other documents pertaining to this nunnery we find signatures of Duke Robert, Wymarch and her husband Ansfrid and their son Robert fitz Wymarc as well as Beatrix.
From various source documents, we know Robert fitz Wymarc was a cousin (sonsanguineus) of duke William and close enough to Edward, son of Emma de Normandy, to be s pictured on the Bayeux Tapestry holding Edward the Confessor at the time of his death. Papia is identified by Orderic Vitalis who describes her as the daughter of "Ricardi iunioris ducis Normannorum", and Robert of Torigny names Godfrey and William as sons of Richard, duke of Normandy.
William of Jumieges tells us that, "Mauger was the son of Richard I and Gunnor, a relationship that finds confirmation in the witness list of a charter surviving in original form and dated 1012," and he also writes "Maud was daughter to Richard I., Duke of Normandy, wife of Odo, Earl of Blois and Chartres". Hawise, upon her husband Goeffrey's death took the role of Regent and her brother Richard II, Duke of Normandy became Guardian of Brittany. Richard I was honor bound and took up a new role as guardian for Emma's brother Hugh Capet.
Richard I of Normandy and Gunnora of Pays de Caux were the parents of ten children:
1. Richard II, Duke of Normandy, (8/23/963-8/28/1026/27), m. Judith of Brittany (c963-8/28/1027)
2. Robert of Normandy, (ca. 965-1037), Archbishop of Rouen, Count of Evreux, as the second son, he was raise by his father to the archiepiscopal see of Rouen (989-1037) to which he was devoted, he wed Herleva [daughter of Sprota and Asperling de Vaudreuil]. He converted Olaus, a Northman King, to Christianity; and founded the Church of Rouen.
3. Godfrey, Count of Eu (ca. 967-c1015) named son of duke "Richard the elder" by Orderic Vitalis, who specifies that his father gave Brionne "with the whole county" to him as Comte de" Eu after 996. Robert of Torigny names him as "unus Godefridus alter … Willermus" as sons of Richard, Duke of Normandy. Geoffrey married about 961 to Heloise, daughter of Sigfrid, Count of Guines and Elstrude de Flanders. Elstrude was the daughter of Arnulf I of Flanders and Adele de Vermandois and granddaughter of Baldwin II, Count of Flanders and Aelfthryth, daughter of king Alfred of England.
4. Mauger of Normandy, (ca. 969-) Earl of Corbeil m. Germaine de Corbeil - "Malinger or Mauger, the third son of Richard the Fearless, third Duke of Normandy, and direct ancestor of the Granville family, obtained the Earldom of Corbeil by his first marriage in the year 1012 with Germaine de Corbeil" - The History of the Granville Family, 1859, p. 15. .
5. Maud of Normandy, (ca. 971-) m. Odo II of Blois (c970-11/15/1037)
6. Wymarch (ca. 973-) m. Ansfrid II (c966-1054) Robert FitzWimarc de Moyaux, her son, is pictured on the Bayeux Tapestry holding Edward the Confessor at his death.
7. Hawise of Normandy, (ca. 977-2/21/1034) m. Geoffrey I, Duke of Brittany (c975-c1028), she took the role of Regent and her brother Richard II, Duke of Normandy became Guardian of Brittany, upon Geoffrey's death.
8. Emma of Normandy, (ca. 979-3/6/1052) m. Ethelred II and his son Canute, Kings of England.
9. Beatrix (ca. 981-1/18/1035) m. Ebles Turenne - The Miracles of Sainte-Foy attribute a miracle to "Lady Beatrice his [Lord Ebalus] wife…soon to lose him through divorce" involving her freeing pilgrims from captivity near Turenne. She returned to Normandy after her divorce and was appointed Abbess of Montivilliers [1035] m. (before 1001, divorced) as his first wife, Ebles Vicomte de Turenne, son of Archambaud "Jambe-Pourrie" Vicomte de Comborn & his wife Sulpicie de Turenne (-after 1021). A charter shows that Duke Robert of Normandy established in 1035 the Abbey of Montivilliers.
10. William, Count of Eu (ca. 983-), Robert of Torigny writes "unus Godefridus alter … Willermus" as sons of Richard, Duke of Normandy m. Lasceline de Turqueville.
GODFREY FITZ RICHARD (c967-c1015)
Godfrey, or sometimes Geoffrey, Fitz Richard, Count of Eu and Brionne, was the son of Duke Richard I of Normandy and Gunnora. He is often referred to as the illegitimate son of Richard I, meaning a person who is illegitimate at birth. Emma, daughter of Hugh the Great died 3/19/968, which means Richard II, born 8/23/963, was also illegitimate. Gunnora and Richard I eventually married after Emma's death, and Richard II was then considered legitimate and became ruler of Normandy. This has caused a great deal of confusion among historians as to whether or not Godfrey was the son of Gunnora.
Godfrey married Heloise, daughter of Sigfrid, count of Guines, and Elstrude de Flanders. Elstrude was the daughter of Arnulf I of Flanders and Adele of Vermandois, and the granddaughter of Baldwin II, count of Flanders and Aelfthryth of England. Aelfthryth, also known as Eltrudes (Latin), was the daughter of king Alfred the Great of England and Ealhswith. Baldwin II's mother, Judith of France, was for a brief period of time stepmother and then sister-in-law to Aelfthrgyth's father, Alfred the Great. Ealhswith, died 12/5/902, the daughter of a Mercian nobleman, Aethelred Mucil, Ealdorman of the Gaini and Eadburh, a member of the Mercian royal family, according to historian Cyril Hart she was a descendant of King Coenwulf of Mercia.
The county of Eu was created for Godfrey by his brother Richard II of Normandy in 996 as part of Richard's policy of granting honors and titles for cadet members of his family. The citadel of Eu played a critical part of the defense of Normandy; the castle and walled town were on the river Bresle, just two miles from the English Channel. It had long been one of the first places attacked in time of war.
The castle of Brionne had long been held by the Dukes of Normandy as one of their own homes, but Richard II also made a gift of Brionne to his brother Godfrey, who held it for life passing it to his son Gilbert and was only returned to the demesne of the Duke after his murder.
Geoffrey and his son Gilbert are styled counts in a diploma given by Richard II, in lieu of territorial designation. Wikipedia and Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, Vol. 9, p. 262.
CHILD:
1. Gilbert fitz Godfrey, succeeded his father as Count of Eu and Brionne.
GILBERT FITZ GODFREY (c990-7/2/1040)
Gilbert Count Of Eu succeeded his father at Brionne and Eu, but he soon quarreled with his uncle Count Richard II, and was deprived of his patrimony. Afterwards he regained his position, and in the reign of Count Robert was in high favor at Court, when the Castle of Brionne was restored to him; but the County of Eu had been in the meanwhile given away by Count Richard II to another member of the family, and neither Gilbert nor his descendants ever recovered possession of Eu.
As Count Robert started his journey to the Holy Land in 1035, Gilbert was selected as a guardian and tutor of the young Count William [later known as William the Conqueror], and for the next five years Gilbert was among the most powerful nobles in Normandy.
A number of Norman barons including Ralph de Gacé would not accept Robert's illegitimate son as their leader. In 1040 a foiled attempt was made to kill William with Gilbert diligently protecting his charge. During this time, Gilbert plundered the orphan heirs of his neighbor the Sieur de Montreuil, and as a consequence was cruelly murdered in 1040. King William retained to the last a kindly recollection of his guardian, for when the king on his death-bed was recounting the horrors of his early life, he mentions Count Gilbert "the father of his country" amongst the pillars of the State who were murdered by his enemies.
After Gilbert's death, his sons Richard and Baldwin were taken to be raised by Baldwin, Count of Flanders, to keep them from meeting the same fate as their father. They returned to their native country when William [the Conqueror] married Matilda of Flanders, and by Count Baldwin's intercession they were returned to as much of their father's fief as had not been otherwise disposed of.
Richard fitz Gilbert received the fiefs of Bienfaite and Orbec, and after the conquest was given Tunbridge Castle in Kent as compensation for his hereditary claims to the Castle of Brionne. Baldwin fitz Gilbert received Meules and Sap, and he was allowed to marry a close relative of his Sovereign. His wife Albreda was a granddaughter of Count Richard II, and a sister of Guy of Burgundy the rebel Constable of Brionne Castle, exiled from Normandy in 1050.
Richard and Baldwin fitz Gilbert were prominent in the conquest of England, and were not forgotten in the division of the spoil. They both founded powerful families. Richard was the ancestor of the great house of Clare, and amongst the honors of the Courtenays in later times. Baldwin was styled fitz Count Gilbert and Sheriff of Devon and became a generous benefactor to Bec Abbey founded by his former knight Herliun in 1031.
Sources: Wikipedia and Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, Vol. 9, p. 262 and 263.
The Journal of the Archaeological Association, pg. 216, mentions the error of Cleaver in his History of the Courtenay Family in his statement that Richard de Redvers left no issue. He states Gilbert's sons, Richard and Baldwin succeeded him and Baldwin was called Baldwin de Brionne or de Molis from Meules in Normandy, while his son Richard was succeeded by his son Baldwin who was banished from England in 1136 after he backed Henry II.
CHILDREN:
1. Sir Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare (c1023-c1090), m. Rohese Giffard
2. Baldwin fitz Gilbert de Brionne (c1025-c1090) m. Emma d'Avranches
3. Heslia "Elise" fitz Gilbert m. William Malet
BALDWIN FITZ GILBERT (c1025-c1090)
Baldwin Fitz Gilbert de Brionne de Meules de Moles b. c1025 and died 1090, was a Norman nobleman, the son of Gilbert, Count of Brionne who, along with his brother Richard Fitz Gilbert, accompanied William, Duke of Normandy and participated in the conquest of England in 1066. He was also known as Baldwin de Meules et du Sap, Baldwin of Exeter and Baldwin the Sheriff. Baldwin was granted 164 manors in Devon, south west England. He was originally from Meules.
In 1067 William the Conqueror made Baldwin castellan of the newly built Rougemont Castle in Exeter, granted him the feudal barony of Okehampton, Devon, and appointed him High Sheriff of Devonshire, a position he held until his death. He was the builder of Okehampton Castle.
Baldwin married Emma, daughter of Turstain Haldup, le Goz, d'Avranches, de la Haye and Emma de Balts. Turstain was the son of Turstain le Goz, de la Haye, count of Hiemois, Gov of Falaise and Judith Montanoiler and grandson of Ansfrid II and Wymarcha.
William himself, in his charters to the church of the Holy Trinity at Caen, in 1066, he being then duke of Normandy, calling the lady, Emma .... “Baldwinus filius Gisleberti comitis mar ejus Emma pro animarum redemptione, etc.” And afterwards, when king of England, in 1082, in a confirmation charter to the same church, he reports the gifts of Baldwin Fitz Gilbert, and Emma, his wife ... Pere Anselme, in his Histoire Généalogique, meets the latter difliculty by giving Baldwin two wives, Albreda and Emma; but supports his opinion by no authority. The above charters are, however, definitive as to his having a Wife named Emma, and that is the extent of the positive evidence we have on this point of our inquiry.
That Baldwin Fitz Gilbert was, however, sheriff of Devon, holding Oakhampton of the king in capite, there is abundant proof .... He was himself of the blood of the old dukes of Normandy, being the son of Gilbert, son of Godfrey, count d’Eu, .... son of duke Richard I. G. ... his second son, Robert, as we have seen, although he speaks of his father having married the cousin of the conqueror, does not call ‘her his mother, nor by naming her enable us to identify her either as Albreda or Emma. ....it is quite clear that Richard de Redvers, ... died in 1107, and was buried at Montebourg, an abbey in Normandy, of which he appears to have been one of the earliest benefactors, if not the founder, by permission of William the Conqueror, in 1080. The top of his stone coffin was preserved from destruction by Mons. de Gerville, and the epithet, “Fundator,” is said to be still visible upon it. In the foundation charter to Monteburgh, “Signum Richardi de Redvers” occurs before those of earl Simon and earl Eustace; and following theirs We find “Signum Bald’ filii Ricardi de Redvers. Signum Willermi fratre ejusdem Bald’.” Amongst the subsequent witnesses are William Estur, Humphrey de Bohun and Alfred de Lincoln (Gallic Christiana, vol. xi, p. 238).
CHILDREN:
1. Emma fitz Baldwin de Redvers (c1045-8/11/1142) m. William fitz Wimund le Goz d’Avranches
2. Robert fitz Baldwin de Redvers, Gov of Brionne (c1055-)
3. Richard fitz Baldwin de Redvers (c1057-1107)
4. William fitz Baldwin de Redvers (c1059-)
Emma was the sister of Richard fitz Baldwin de Redvers (1057-1107) who is found holding Mosterton in Dorset in 1084 and 1086. In 1090 he was one of those barons of the Cotentin who supported Henry 'Beauclerc' against his brothers, and this proved the foundation of his fortunes, for Henry, on his accession, endowed him with lands in England. Richard, in return, supported him staunchly, and was one of his trusted advisers.
Richard died in 1107 and was buried at the abbey of Montebourg, in Normandy, of which he is deemed the founder, though he had merely been given its patronage by Henry who had given it some lands. Henry had also given him Twinham Priory, Hampshire, which he endowed with lands in the Isle of Wight on obtaining lordship.
By his wife Adeliza, daughter of William Peverell of Nottingham, who gave her marriage portion, the manor of Woolley, to Montebourg after his death in 1097, he left three sons— Baldwin de Redvers, his successor, William de Vernon (so named from the castle of Vernon), his heir in Normandy, and Robert Ste. Mere Eglise, who received the manor of that name, and a daughter Hawise, wife of William de Roumare, earl of Lincoln. Their mother's letter to the bishop of Exeter is found in Sarum Charters.
His successor, Baldwin, the 1st Earl of Devon (d. 1155), left issue (with William, afterwards 5th earl) a son and heir, Richard, who was sheriff of Devon (as 'Ricardus Comes') in 1155-6, and as Richard 'de Redvers' in 1166-7; he is reckoned the second Earl of Devon. An interesting writ was addressed to him by the king as Richard 'de Redvers' only, in April 1157, in favour of Montebourg Abbey. He died in 1162, leaving by Dionys, daughter of Reginald, earl of Cornwall, two sons, Baldwin and Richard, who succeeded him as third and fourth earls of Devon. On the death of the latter without issue (1184) the succession opened to his uncle William (d. 1216).
Stapleton doubted whether this William was really styled, as alleged, 'de Vernon;' but a Montebourg charter of 1175 clearly distinguishes him as William de Vernon 'junior,' from his uncle, William de Vernon 'senior' (a justiciar of Normandy), whose son Richard had at that date succeeded him. It was, however, as William ' de Redveriis,' earl of Devon, that he made a grant to 'Domus Dei,' Southampton, still preserved at Queen's College, Oxford, the seal of which shows the family device, a griffin clutching a hare. Though Hoveden styles him ' Earl of the Isle of Wight' (of which he was lord) at the coronation of Richard I, it was not till 28 April 1194 that the king granted him, as ' Earl William de Brion, the tertius denarius of Devon as his father Baldwin and predecessor Richard had held it. Dying at a great age in 1216, he was succeeded by his grandson Baldwin, whose son and namesake was the last earl (1246-1262). His sister and heiress Isabel, countess of Albemarle, who styled herself occasionally Countess of Devon, died in 1293, immediately after selling her hereditary lordship of the Isle of Wight to the crown; she left no issue. Source: The Dictionary of National Biography, Vol. 16, By Stephen (Sir Leslie), Robert Blake, Christine Stephanie Nicholls, p. 828. His children: Baldwin de Redvers, his successor b. c1088, William de Vernon, his heir in Normandy b. c1090, Robert de St. Mere Eglise, b. c1092, rec'd a manor St. Mere Eglise, Hawise de Redvers, b. c1094 wife of Wm de Roumare, Earl of Lincoln.
Godfrey, or sometimes Geoffrey, Fitz Richard, Count of Eu and Brionne, was the son of Duke Richard I of Normandy and Gunnora. He is often referred to as the illegitimate son of Richard I, meaning a person who is illegitimate at birth. Emma, daughter of Hugh the Great died 3/19/968, which means Richard II, born 8/23/963, was also illegitimate. Gunnora and Richard I eventually married after Emma's death, and Richard II was then considered legitimate and became ruler of Normandy. This has caused a great deal of confusion among historians as to whether or not Godfrey was the son of Gunnora.
Godfrey married Heloise, daughter of Sigfrid, count of Guines, and Elstrude de Flanders. Elstrude was the daughter of Arnulf I of Flanders and Adele of Vermandois, and the granddaughter of Baldwin II, count of Flanders and Aelfthryth of England. Aelfthryth, also known as Eltrudes (Latin), was the daughter of king Alfred the Great of England and Ealhswith. Baldwin II's mother, Judith of France, was for a brief period of time stepmother and then sister-in-law to Aelfthrgyth's father, Alfred the Great. Ealhswith, died 12/5/902, the daughter of a Mercian nobleman, Aethelred Mucil, Ealdorman of the Gaini and Eadburh, a member of the Mercian royal family, according to historian Cyril Hart she was a descendant of King Coenwulf of Mercia.
The county of Eu was created for Godfrey by his brother Richard II of Normandy in 996 as part of Richard's policy of granting honors and titles for cadet members of his family. The citadel of Eu played a critical part of the defense of Normandy; the castle and walled town were on the river Bresle, just two miles from the English Channel. It had long been one of the first places attacked in time of war.
The castle of Brionne had long been held by the Dukes of Normandy as one of their own homes, but Richard II also made a gift of Brionne to his brother Godfrey, who held it for life passing it to his son Gilbert and was only returned to the demesne of the Duke after his murder.
Geoffrey and his son Gilbert are styled counts in a diploma given by Richard II, in lieu of territorial designation. Wikipedia and Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, Vol. 9, p. 262.
CHILD:
1. Gilbert fitz Godfrey, succeeded his father as Count of Eu and Brionne.
GILBERT FITZ GODFREY (c990-7/2/1040)
Gilbert Count Of Eu succeeded his father at Brionne and Eu, but he soon quarreled with his uncle Count Richard II, and was deprived of his patrimony. Afterwards he regained his position, and in the reign of Count Robert was in high favor at Court, when the Castle of Brionne was restored to him; but the County of Eu had been in the meanwhile given away by Count Richard II to another member of the family, and neither Gilbert nor his descendants ever recovered possession of Eu.
As Count Robert started his journey to the Holy Land in 1035, Gilbert was selected as a guardian and tutor of the young Count William [later known as William the Conqueror], and for the next five years Gilbert was among the most powerful nobles in Normandy.
A number of Norman barons including Ralph de Gacé would not accept Robert's illegitimate son as their leader. In 1040 a foiled attempt was made to kill William with Gilbert diligently protecting his charge. During this time, Gilbert plundered the orphan heirs of his neighbor the Sieur de Montreuil, and as a consequence was cruelly murdered in 1040. King William retained to the last a kindly recollection of his guardian, for when the king on his death-bed was recounting the horrors of his early life, he mentions Count Gilbert "the father of his country" amongst the pillars of the State who were murdered by his enemies.
After Gilbert's death, his sons Richard and Baldwin were taken to be raised by Baldwin, Count of Flanders, to keep them from meeting the same fate as their father. They returned to their native country when William [the Conqueror] married Matilda of Flanders, and by Count Baldwin's intercession they were returned to as much of their father's fief as had not been otherwise disposed of.
Richard fitz Gilbert received the fiefs of Bienfaite and Orbec, and after the conquest was given Tunbridge Castle in Kent as compensation for his hereditary claims to the Castle of Brionne. Baldwin fitz Gilbert received Meules and Sap, and he was allowed to marry a close relative of his Sovereign. His wife Albreda was a granddaughter of Count Richard II, and a sister of Guy of Burgundy the rebel Constable of Brionne Castle, exiled from Normandy in 1050.
Richard and Baldwin fitz Gilbert were prominent in the conquest of England, and were not forgotten in the division of the spoil. They both founded powerful families. Richard was the ancestor of the great house of Clare, and amongst the honors of the Courtenays in later times. Baldwin was styled fitz Count Gilbert and Sheriff of Devon and became a generous benefactor to Bec Abbey founded by his former knight Herliun in 1031.
Sources: Wikipedia and Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, Vol. 9, p. 262 and 263.
The Journal of the Archaeological Association, pg. 216, mentions the error of Cleaver in his History of the Courtenay Family in his statement that Richard de Redvers left no issue. He states Gilbert's sons, Richard and Baldwin succeeded him and Baldwin was called Baldwin de Brionne or de Molis from Meules in Normandy, while his son Richard was succeeded by his son Baldwin who was banished from England in 1136 after he backed Henry II.
CHILDREN:
1. Sir Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare (c1023-c1090), m. Rohese Giffard
2. Baldwin fitz Gilbert de Brionne (c1025-c1090) m. Emma d'Avranches
3. Heslia "Elise" fitz Gilbert m. William Malet
BALDWIN FITZ GILBERT (c1025-c1090)
Baldwin Fitz Gilbert de Brionne de Meules de Moles b. c1025 and died 1090, was a Norman nobleman, the son of Gilbert, Count of Brionne who, along with his brother Richard Fitz Gilbert, accompanied William, Duke of Normandy and participated in the conquest of England in 1066. He was also known as Baldwin de Meules et du Sap, Baldwin of Exeter and Baldwin the Sheriff. Baldwin was granted 164 manors in Devon, south west England. He was originally from Meules.
In 1067 William the Conqueror made Baldwin castellan of the newly built Rougemont Castle in Exeter, granted him the feudal barony of Okehampton, Devon, and appointed him High Sheriff of Devonshire, a position he held until his death. He was the builder of Okehampton Castle.
Baldwin married Emma, daughter of Turstain Haldup, le Goz, d'Avranches, de la Haye and Emma de Balts. Turstain was the son of Turstain le Goz, de la Haye, count of Hiemois, Gov of Falaise and Judith Montanoiler and grandson of Ansfrid II and Wymarcha.
William himself, in his charters to the church of the Holy Trinity at Caen, in 1066, he being then duke of Normandy, calling the lady, Emma .... “Baldwinus filius Gisleberti comitis mar ejus Emma pro animarum redemptione, etc.” And afterwards, when king of England, in 1082, in a confirmation charter to the same church, he reports the gifts of Baldwin Fitz Gilbert, and Emma, his wife ... Pere Anselme, in his Histoire Généalogique, meets the latter difliculty by giving Baldwin two wives, Albreda and Emma; but supports his opinion by no authority. The above charters are, however, definitive as to his having a Wife named Emma, and that is the extent of the positive evidence we have on this point of our inquiry.
That Baldwin Fitz Gilbert was, however, sheriff of Devon, holding Oakhampton of the king in capite, there is abundant proof .... He was himself of the blood of the old dukes of Normandy, being the son of Gilbert, son of Godfrey, count d’Eu, .... son of duke Richard I. G. ... his second son, Robert, as we have seen, although he speaks of his father having married the cousin of the conqueror, does not call ‘her his mother, nor by naming her enable us to identify her either as Albreda or Emma. ....it is quite clear that Richard de Redvers, ... died in 1107, and was buried at Montebourg, an abbey in Normandy, of which he appears to have been one of the earliest benefactors, if not the founder, by permission of William the Conqueror, in 1080. The top of his stone coffin was preserved from destruction by Mons. de Gerville, and the epithet, “Fundator,” is said to be still visible upon it. In the foundation charter to Monteburgh, “Signum Richardi de Redvers” occurs before those of earl Simon and earl Eustace; and following theirs We find “Signum Bald’ filii Ricardi de Redvers. Signum Willermi fratre ejusdem Bald’.” Amongst the subsequent witnesses are William Estur, Humphrey de Bohun and Alfred de Lincoln (Gallic Christiana, vol. xi, p. 238).
CHILDREN:
1. Emma fitz Baldwin de Redvers (c1045-8/11/1142) m. William fitz Wimund le Goz d’Avranches
2. Robert fitz Baldwin de Redvers, Gov of Brionne (c1055-)
3. Richard fitz Baldwin de Redvers (c1057-1107)
4. William fitz Baldwin de Redvers (c1059-)
Emma was the sister of Richard fitz Baldwin de Redvers (1057-1107) who is found holding Mosterton in Dorset in 1084 and 1086. In 1090 he was one of those barons of the Cotentin who supported Henry 'Beauclerc' against his brothers, and this proved the foundation of his fortunes, for Henry, on his accession, endowed him with lands in England. Richard, in return, supported him staunchly, and was one of his trusted advisers.
Richard died in 1107 and was buried at the abbey of Montebourg, in Normandy, of which he is deemed the founder, though he had merely been given its patronage by Henry who had given it some lands. Henry had also given him Twinham Priory, Hampshire, which he endowed with lands in the Isle of Wight on obtaining lordship.
By his wife Adeliza, daughter of William Peverell of Nottingham, who gave her marriage portion, the manor of Woolley, to Montebourg after his death in 1097, he left three sons— Baldwin de Redvers, his successor, William de Vernon (so named from the castle of Vernon), his heir in Normandy, and Robert Ste. Mere Eglise, who received the manor of that name, and a daughter Hawise, wife of William de Roumare, earl of Lincoln. Their mother's letter to the bishop of Exeter is found in Sarum Charters.
His successor, Baldwin, the 1st Earl of Devon (d. 1155), left issue (with William, afterwards 5th earl) a son and heir, Richard, who was sheriff of Devon (as 'Ricardus Comes') in 1155-6, and as Richard 'de Redvers' in 1166-7; he is reckoned the second Earl of Devon. An interesting writ was addressed to him by the king as Richard 'de Redvers' only, in April 1157, in favour of Montebourg Abbey. He died in 1162, leaving by Dionys, daughter of Reginald, earl of Cornwall, two sons, Baldwin and Richard, who succeeded him as third and fourth earls of Devon. On the death of the latter without issue (1184) the succession opened to his uncle William (d. 1216).
Stapleton doubted whether this William was really styled, as alleged, 'de Vernon;' but a Montebourg charter of 1175 clearly distinguishes him as William de Vernon 'junior,' from his uncle, William de Vernon 'senior' (a justiciar of Normandy), whose son Richard had at that date succeeded him. It was, however, as William ' de Redveriis,' earl of Devon, that he made a grant to 'Domus Dei,' Southampton, still preserved at Queen's College, Oxford, the seal of which shows the family device, a griffin clutching a hare. Though Hoveden styles him ' Earl of the Isle of Wight' (of which he was lord) at the coronation of Richard I, it was not till 28 April 1194 that the king granted him, as ' Earl William de Brion, the tertius denarius of Devon as his father Baldwin and predecessor Richard had held it. Dying at a great age in 1216, he was succeeded by his grandson Baldwin, whose son and namesake was the last earl (1246-1262). His sister and heiress Isabel, countess of Albemarle, who styled herself occasionally Countess of Devon, died in 1293, immediately after selling her hereditary lordship of the Isle of Wight to the crown; she left no issue. Source: The Dictionary of National Biography, Vol. 16, By Stephen (Sir Leslie), Robert Blake, Christine Stephanie Nicholls, p. 828. His children: Baldwin de Redvers, his successor b. c1088, William de Vernon, his heir in Normandy b. c1090, Robert de St. Mere Eglise, b. c1092, rec'd a manor St. Mere Eglise, Hawise de Redvers, b. c1094 wife of Wm de Roumare, Earl of Lincoln.