Rolf Ragnvaldsson also know as Rolf 'The Ganger', Rolf 'Wend-a-foot, Rolf the Viking and Rollo 0f Normandy. He was given the name Robert when he was baptized. He was also called Rollo which is French and Latin.
Encyclopeadia Britannica states that Rolf was a "Scandinavian rover who founded the duchy of Normandy. Making himself independent of King Harald I of Norway, Rolf sailed off to raid Scotland, England, Flanders, and France on pirating expeditions and, about 911, established himself in an area along the Seine River. Charles III the Simple of France held off his siege of Paris, battled him near Chartres, and negotiated the treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, giving him the part of Neustria that came to be called Normandy; Rolf in return agreed to end his brigandage. He gave his son, William (I) Longsword, governance of the dukedom (927) before his death. Rolf was baptized as 'Robert' in 912 but is said to have died a pagan."
Rolf was the son of Ragnvald or Rognwald. He was lord of three little islets far north, near the Fjord of Folden, called the Three Vigten Islands. His main means of making a living was that of sea robbery or piracy. King Harold did not approve of Rolf's conduct while conducting this robbery. During Harold's reign, piracy was forbidden within his own countries, but was perfectly acceptable against foreign countries and was a profession held by many nobles.Harold's own son, Eric was employed this way as early as age twelve.
The thing that caused Rolf to be outlawed was taking from his own countrymen. Coming home from one of his pirate expeditions, his crew ran short of supplies. Rolf landed with them on the shore of Norway, and out of desperation, drove some cattle and proceeded to kill and eat them. Cattle theft was a crime. Somehow King Harold 'Harfager' got word of this and was on his way to investigate and punish the perpetrators.
Rolf and his men left hurriedly in their ships and went to the coast of France. At some point he was enfeoffed to the King of France and given the desolate coast of Normandy, which took it's name from 'the Northmen' or 'Norsemen' as they were called by the French.
The Heimskringla says that when Harold outlawed Rolf, his mother went to him and begged for mercy for him. And he was very angry and refused to listen to her. At which time an evidently very proud mother made this statement:
The name of Nevja is torn;
Now driven in flight from the land.
Is the warrior's bold kinsman.
Why be so hard, my lord/
Evil it is by such a wolf,
Noble prince, to be bitten;
He will not spate the flock
If he is driven to the woods.
A rough translation would be that if the king persisted in being so harsh and driving her son from the land, he would become as a wolf and would not spare the flock. She undoubtedly felt that he owed her son the son of his most valiant nobles a little more consideration. Rollo's father had been given the great honor of being the one to cut Harold's hair. Harold had sworn not to cut it until he had become king and won his bride.
Over the next two centuries, Rolf and his descendants made Normandy into a prosperous country and became a force to be reckoned with.
Alternate origins for Rollo are given by Dudo of St, Quentin who says that he was the son of Danish noble who was at odds with King Harold of Denmark, who upon his death left Rollo and a brother Gurim who was killed. William of Jumieges says in his Gesta Normannorum Ducum that Rollo was from the Danish town of Fakse. The Roman de Rou and the Orkneyinga Saga both also refer to two brothers named Rou and Garin.
The Norwegian and Icelandic historians (historia Norvegiae) say that Rollo was a son of Rognvald Eysteinsson, the Earl of More in Western Norway, and call him Ranger Hrolf (Rolf the Walker). This nickname was given to him because he was so big that he couldn't ride a horse, because none of the small Norwegian horses were big enough.
When Rollo and his men were exiled, they first made their way to the Hebrides, where other noblemen of Viking descent were living. They welcomed him, but the land must not have been sufficient to sustain them. These chieftains all banded together as equals and travelled first to Holland, but it had been ravaged and was too poor to benefit them, so they left from there toward the coast of northern France and headed up the Seine.
In 885, Rollo was with a Viking fleet that laid siege to Paris. He was one of the lesser leaders under Sigfried. The legend that comes down from this time is that the French sent an emissary to negotiate. This emissary asked who was their chieftain. They told him that they were all chieftains in their own right. In 886, the French paid off Sigfried who left, but Rollo stayed behind and continued to raid. He was eventually bought off too and he left to raid Burgundy.
He later returned to the area of northern France now known as Normandy and began raiding again. Tradition says that when the people of Rouen saw that Rollo was going to lay siege to their town, they sent their archbishop to him to try and negotiate. They were very surprised when he returned unharmed and told them that he had been treated with kindness and courtesy. The message he brought back was that if they admitted the Vikings to their town they would be unharmed. They opened their gates to him and Rouen became Rollo's citadel.
Sometime during this period, around 886-887, he attacked Bayeaux. According to Oderic Vitalis, the Count of Bayeaux was killed and his daughter was taken by Rollo as a captive bride. The History of the Norman People by Wace says that when Rollo decided to attack Bayeaux, he sent spies, who determined that it would be easy to take. When Berengar the lord of Bayeaux discovered that they were coming. He placed his men outside the wall and they went to battle with the Normans. They managed to capture one of the Norman chiefs. In return for giving him back, they received a year's peace from the Normans. But the next year they returned. They attacked Bayeaux and damaged it heavily. They destroyed the farms and the people as well. Eventually the barons of the land went over to the side of the Normans. It also says that when he took Poppa, she was just a girl and had not even developed breasts yet. But Rollo loved her and made her his wife anyway. Poppa means something like little doll.
In 911 Rollo's men were defeated at the Battle of Chartres by Charles II 'the Simple' Charlles realized that the custom of paying them to leave was no longer effective. They made an agreement that they could stay in the northern territory they were occupying as long as they defended it against any other Viking raiders. A treaty was signed in 911, in which Rollo was enfeoffed to King Charles. The area that Rollo was given was in the lower Seine or the northern part of Normandy and the area around Rouen. Some historians differ as to whether Rollo was a duke or a count under Charles the Simple. Legend says that Charles required Rollo to kiss his foot in a show of subservience as a condition of the treaty. Rollo refused to humble himself in so degrading a manner and ordered one of his men to do it in his place. This man raised Charles foot up to his mouth causing Charles to fall down rather than to stoop and do it.
In the beginning Rollo honored the treaty and defended the shores of Normandy for Charles, but after a time, he decided to divide up Normandy among his men as if it were his own sovereignty. His capital was Rouen. As he began these settlements, he and his men began raiding other French lands. Now they had a secure base of operations from which to conduct these raids, His men eventually began to intermarry with the local women and to assimilate into their new home.
About 927 Rollo began to pass the control of Normandy into the hands of his son William Longsword. The territory that he was relinquishing control of now extended as far west as the Vire River. He died sometime between then and 933.
The historian Adhemar, 'As Rollo's death drew near, he went mad and had a hundred Christian prisoners beheaded in front of him in honour of the gods whom he had worshipped, and in the end distributed a hundred pounds of gold around the churches in honour of the true God in whose name he had accepted baptism.' With his mind slipping, he must have at times returned to an earlier time before he had converted to Christianity.
Sources:
Makers of Europe: Outlines of European History for the Middle Forms of Schools - Page 91
by Ethel Mary Wilmot-Buxton - Europe - 1905
http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMAN%20NOBILITY.htm
The Works of Thomas Carlyle - Page 205
by Thomas Carlyle, Henry Duff Traill - 1899
Stories of the Olden Time - Page 200
by James Johonnot - Readers and speakers - 1889
The Heimskringla: A History of the Norse Kings - Page 38
by Snorri Sturluson, Samuel Laing, Rasmus Björn Anderson - Norway - 1907
The Normans, told chiefly in relation to their conquest of England: Told ... - Page 30
by Sarah Orne Jewett - Normans - 1891
The gesta Normannorum ducum of William of Jumièges, Orderic Vitalis, and ... - Page 92
The History of the Norman people: Wace's Roman de Rou - Page 23
by Wace, Glyn Sheridan Burgess, Elisabeth M. C. Van Houts - Literary Criticism - 2004
Showing posts with label Dukes of Normandy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dukes of Normandy. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Richard I, the Duke of Normandy
Richard I of Normandy was born 933 in Fecamp. He was the son of William Longsword and Sprota De Senlis. He acceded to the Dukedom of Normandy in 942.
He married Emma of Paris in 956. She was the sister of of Hugh Capet. The marriage is recorded in 956 Liber Modernorum Regum Francorum. Guillaume de Jumièges says that the marriage was arranged at the same time that Richard I was appointed guardian to her brother Hugh Capet and that it occured after her father's death.
She died after 966 with no issue. Robert of Torigny recorded that not long after her death, Richar went out hunting and stopped at the house of the local forester. He became enamored of the forester's wife, Seinfreda, but she was a virtuous woman and suggested he court her sister Gunnor, who was unmarried.
When the married Gunnor, her family rose in prominence. Her brother Herfast de Crepon was involved in a controversial trial of the Cathars. She was of Danish descent. Guillaume de Jumièges records this second marriage soon after the death of his first wife, but Robert de Torigny says it took place to legitimize their children, which would indicate, either that she was his mistress while his first wife was living, or that it took place at a later date. Gunnor's death is recorded by Robert of Torigny in 1030.
He had children:
1. Mauger of Corbeil, Earl of Corbeil died after 1033
2. Robert of Evereaux, Count of Evereaux, Bishop of Rouen died 1037
3. Matilda Maud of Normandy, wife of Odo II of Blois, Count of Blois, Champagne and Chartres.
4. Emma of Normandy b. about 986 died 1052 married Æthelred the Unready of England and then Cnut the Great of Denmark
5. Richard II, the Good of Normandy
6. Hedwig or Hawise, b. about 978 died 2-21-1034 married Geoffrey I, Duke of Brittany.
7. Beatrix of Normandy, Abbess of Montvilliers d.1034 m. Ebles of Turenne (d.1030 (divorced)
8. Godfey or Geoffey of Brionne and Eu born about 970
9. Hiesmes or William Count of Eu
10. Robert Danus died 985-989
11. Willaim d'Eu Count of Eu b. about 985
12. Papia married Gilbert de St. Valery
13. Fressenda b. about 995 died about 1057, married Tancred of Hauteville
14. Muriella married Tancred of Hauteville.
Richard was called "the Fearless" or in French Sans Peur. He was bilingual, being educated at Bayeux, and preferred his Danish subjects to his French subject.
During his reign, Normandy became completely Gallicized and Christianized. He introduced the feudal system and Normandy became one of the most thoroughly feudalized states on the continent. He carried out a major reorganization of the Norman military system, based on heavy cavalry.
His mother was a Breton concubine, captured in war and bound by a Danish marriage to his father. She married Esperlung, a wealthy miller after William Longsword's death.
Upon his father's death, Louis IV of France seized Normandy. He was still a boy and unable to do anything about it. He was imprisoned at Laon. He escaped and made alliances with the Norman and Viking leaders. With their help, he drove Louis out of Rouen and took back Normandy by 947.
Richard I, Duke of Normandy died in Fecamp, 11-20-996 of natural causes, and was buried at Fecamp.
Guillaume de Jumièges names Richard as son of Guillaume and Sprota, recording that news of his birth was brought to his father when he was returning from his victory against the rebels led by "Riulf"
Flodoard records "filio ipsius Willelmi, nato de concubina Brittana" being granted the land of the Normans by King Louis after his father's death
Dudo of Saint-Quentin described him as a boy at the time his father died. Oderic Vitalis says that he was ten years old. Guillaume de Jumièges says that he succeeded his father under the guardianship of Bernard le Danois.
He used the title Comte de Rouen/comes Rothomagensium. After 966 he used the title Marquis des Normands/marchio Normannorum.
Not long after he succeeded he suppressed a rebellion led by Rodulf "Torta", who fled to Paris after being banished. Otto I, King of Germany attempted to capture Rouen in retaliation for his having escaped from prison.
He also defeated French forces after King Lothaire of France captured Evreux.
He was appointed the guardian to the son of Hughes "le Grand". This son later became Hugh "Capet", King of France in 956.
He invited William of Volpiano, an Italian abbot of Saint-Benigne at Dijon, to reform the Norman abbeys. Monks were installed at Mont Saint-Michel and Fecamp. Richard I also founded Louviers.
He agreed to a non agression pact with Aethelred II, King of England 3-1-991. It was designed to prevent either side from sheltering Viking marauders.
Sources:
McKitterick, Rosamund. The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians 751-987, 1993.
Searle, Eleanor. Predatory Kinship and the Creation of Norman Power, 840-1066, 1998.
http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMANDY.htm#GuillaumeIdied942
The Henry Project, http://sbaldw.home.mindspring.com/hproject/henry.htm
http://genealogy.euweb.cz/normandy/normandy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I,_Duke_of_Normandy
He married Emma of Paris in 956. She was the sister of of Hugh Capet. The marriage is recorded in 956 Liber Modernorum Regum Francorum. Guillaume de Jumièges says that the marriage was arranged at the same time that Richard I was appointed guardian to her brother Hugh Capet and that it occured after her father's death.
She died after 966 with no issue. Robert of Torigny recorded that not long after her death, Richar went out hunting and stopped at the house of the local forester. He became enamored of the forester's wife, Seinfreda, but she was a virtuous woman and suggested he court her sister Gunnor, who was unmarried.
When the married Gunnor, her family rose in prominence. Her brother Herfast de Crepon was involved in a controversial trial of the Cathars. She was of Danish descent. Guillaume de Jumièges records this second marriage soon after the death of his first wife, but Robert de Torigny says it took place to legitimize their children, which would indicate, either that she was his mistress while his first wife was living, or that it took place at a later date. Gunnor's death is recorded by Robert of Torigny in 1030.
He had children:
1. Mauger of Corbeil, Earl of Corbeil died after 1033
2. Robert of Evereaux, Count of Evereaux, Bishop of Rouen died 1037
3. Matilda Maud of Normandy, wife of Odo II of Blois, Count of Blois, Champagne and Chartres.
4. Emma of Normandy b. about 986 died 1052 married Æthelred the Unready of England and then Cnut the Great of Denmark
5. Richard II, the Good of Normandy
6. Hedwig or Hawise, b. about 978 died 2-21-1034 married Geoffrey I, Duke of Brittany.
7. Beatrix of Normandy, Abbess of Montvilliers d.1034 m. Ebles of Turenne (d.1030 (divorced)
8. Godfey or Geoffey of Brionne and Eu born about 970
9. Hiesmes or William Count of Eu
10. Robert Danus died 985-989
11. Willaim d'Eu Count of Eu b. about 985
12. Papia married Gilbert de St. Valery
13. Fressenda b. about 995 died about 1057, married Tancred of Hauteville
14. Muriella married Tancred of Hauteville.
Richard was called "the Fearless" or in French Sans Peur. He was bilingual, being educated at Bayeux, and preferred his Danish subjects to his French subject.
During his reign, Normandy became completely Gallicized and Christianized. He introduced the feudal system and Normandy became one of the most thoroughly feudalized states on the continent. He carried out a major reorganization of the Norman military system, based on heavy cavalry.
His mother was a Breton concubine, captured in war and bound by a Danish marriage to his father. She married Esperlung, a wealthy miller after William Longsword's death.
Upon his father's death, Louis IV of France seized Normandy. He was still a boy and unable to do anything about it. He was imprisoned at Laon. He escaped and made alliances with the Norman and Viking leaders. With their help, he drove Louis out of Rouen and took back Normandy by 947.
Richard I, Duke of Normandy died in Fecamp, 11-20-996 of natural causes, and was buried at Fecamp.
Guillaume de Jumièges names Richard as son of Guillaume and Sprota, recording that news of his birth was brought to his father when he was returning from his victory against the rebels led by "Riulf"
Flodoard records "filio ipsius Willelmi, nato de concubina Brittana" being granted the land of the Normans by King Louis after his father's death
Dudo of Saint-Quentin described him as a boy at the time his father died. Oderic Vitalis says that he was ten years old. Guillaume de Jumièges says that he succeeded his father under the guardianship of Bernard le Danois.
He used the title Comte de Rouen/comes Rothomagensium. After 966 he used the title Marquis des Normands/marchio Normannorum.
Not long after he succeeded he suppressed a rebellion led by Rodulf "Torta", who fled to Paris after being banished. Otto I, King of Germany attempted to capture Rouen in retaliation for his having escaped from prison.
He also defeated French forces after King Lothaire of France captured Evreux.
He was appointed the guardian to the son of Hughes "le Grand". This son later became Hugh "Capet", King of France in 956.
He invited William of Volpiano, an Italian abbot of Saint-Benigne at Dijon, to reform the Norman abbeys. Monks were installed at Mont Saint-Michel and Fecamp. Richard I also founded Louviers.
He agreed to a non agression pact with Aethelred II, King of England 3-1-991. It was designed to prevent either side from sheltering Viking marauders.
Sources:
McKitterick, Rosamund. The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians 751-987, 1993.
Searle, Eleanor. Predatory Kinship and the Creation of Norman Power, 840-1066, 1998.
http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMANDY.htm#GuillaumeIdied942
The Henry Project, http://sbaldw.home.mindspring.com/hproject/henry.htm
http://genealogy.euweb.cz/normandy/normandy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I,_Duke_of_Normandy
Richard II, The Good, Duke of Normandy
Richard II, The Good, Duke of Normandy was born 963 in Normandy. He was the son of Richard I, The Fearless of Normandy and Gunnor of Crepon. He acceded to the dukedom in 996.
He married about 1000, Judith De Bretagne (Judith of Brittany) in Mont Saint-Michel, daughtre of Conan I, "le Tort", Duke of Brittany. According to Oderic Vitalis, she founded the abbey of Bernay, Eure in 1025, but the date is inconsistent with the her date of death and Richard's second marriage.
He had children:
1. Richard III of Normandy, Duke of Normandy
2. Robert II the Devil, Duke of Normandy
3. William (Nicholas) monk at Fechamp b. about 1007/9
4.Alice(Adelaide or Judith) b. about 1003/5 married Renaud I, Count of Burgundy
5. Eleanor of Normandy married Baldwin IV, count of Flanders b. about 1011/13
6. Matilda b. about 1013/15 a nun at Fecamp
He married about 1017 Estrith (Margaret) of Denmark. Daughter of Svend I, King of Denmark. Adam of Bremen this marriage and says that after Richard repudiated her, she married Wolf, Duke of Anglia. She later married Ulf Thrugilson, Jarl. She may have had a daughter Popia by Richard.
He married about 1024 Papia of Envermeu, daughter of -----. Gullaume de Jumieges says she was Richard's second wife, as does Oderic Vitalis and The Chronicon Fontanellense. She is named in a charter granting property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel given by Richard.
He had children:
1. Mauger of Rouen, Archbishop of Rouen
2. William of Arques, Count of Arques
3. Papia
Ademar names Richard as son of "Richardus Rotomagensis"
Guillaume de Jumièges names (in order) "Richard, Robert, Mauger" as three of the five sons of Duke Richard and Gunnora
Robert of Torigny names "Ricardum…qui ei successit et Robertum postea archiepiscopum Rothomagensium et Malgerium comitem Curbuliensem, aliosque duos" as the sons of "Ricardi primi ducis Normanniæ" and Gunnora
Some sources give him another son named Godrey Gilbert,Count of Eu, the father of Gilbert De Clare. He was supposedly the son of Gunnor of Crepon or an illegitimate son.
He tried to improve relations with England through his sister's marriage to King Ethelred, But she was disliked by the English. This connection later gave his grandson William the Conqueror patrt of his claim to the English throne.
Richard II, Duke of Normandy died 28 August 1027 in Normandy.
Sources:
http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMANDY.htm#GuillaumeIdied942
Royal & Noble Genealogical Data On the Web
http://www3.dcs.hull.ac.uk/genealogy/royal/
http://www.castlewales.com/clares.html
Royal ancestors of Magna charta barons: including ancestry of John Talbot ... - Page 68
by Carr Pritchett Collins - Nobility - 1959
Dictionary of national biography: Index and epitome - Page 241
by Sir Leslie Stephen, Sidney Lee - Great Britain - 1906
He married about 1000, Judith De Bretagne (Judith of Brittany) in Mont Saint-Michel, daughtre of Conan I, "le Tort", Duke of Brittany. According to Oderic Vitalis, she founded the abbey of Bernay, Eure in 1025, but the date is inconsistent with the her date of death and Richard's second marriage.
He had children:
1. Richard III of Normandy, Duke of Normandy
2. Robert II the Devil, Duke of Normandy
3. William (Nicholas) monk at Fechamp b. about 1007/9
4.Alice(Adelaide or Judith) b. about 1003/5 married Renaud I, Count of Burgundy
5. Eleanor of Normandy married Baldwin IV, count of Flanders b. about 1011/13
6. Matilda b. about 1013/15 a nun at Fecamp
He married about 1017 Estrith (Margaret) of Denmark. Daughter of Svend I, King of Denmark. Adam of Bremen this marriage and says that after Richard repudiated her, she married Wolf, Duke of Anglia. She later married Ulf Thrugilson, Jarl. She may have had a daughter Popia by Richard.
He married about 1024 Papia of Envermeu, daughter of -----. Gullaume de Jumieges says she was Richard's second wife, as does Oderic Vitalis and The Chronicon Fontanellense. She is named in a charter granting property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel given by Richard.
He had children:
1. Mauger of Rouen, Archbishop of Rouen
2. William of Arques, Count of Arques
3. Papia
Ademar names Richard as son of "Richardus Rotomagensis"
Guillaume de Jumièges names (in order) "Richard, Robert, Mauger" as three of the five sons of Duke Richard and Gunnora
Robert of Torigny names "Ricardum…qui ei successit et Robertum postea archiepiscopum Rothomagensium et Malgerium comitem Curbuliensem, aliosque duos" as the sons of "Ricardi primi ducis Normanniæ" and Gunnora
Some sources give him another son named Godrey Gilbert,Count of Eu, the father of Gilbert De Clare. He was supposedly the son of Gunnor of Crepon or an illegitimate son.
He tried to improve relations with England through his sister's marriage to King Ethelred, But she was disliked by the English. This connection later gave his grandson William the Conqueror patrt of his claim to the English throne.
Richard II, Duke of Normandy died 28 August 1027 in Normandy.
Sources:
http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMANDY.htm#GuillaumeIdied942
Royal & Noble Genealogical Data On the Web
http://www3.dcs.hull.ac.uk/genealogy/royal/
http://www.castlewales.com/clares.html
Royal ancestors of Magna charta barons: including ancestry of John Talbot ... - Page 68
by Carr Pritchett Collins - Nobility - 1959
Dictionary of national biography: Index and epitome - Page 241
by Sir Leslie Stephen, Sidney Lee - Great Britain - 1906
Robert II The Devil of Normandy
Robert II "the Devil" of Normandy was born about 1008 in Normandy.
He was the son of Richard II of Normandy and Judith De Bretagne. Some sources call him Robert The Magnificent.
Robert helped in the restoration of Henry, King of France, to his throne and received the gratitude of the monarch, in the form of Vexin, as an addition to the lands he had received from his father.
He also aided Edward the Confessor, when he was in exile.
He became Duke of Normandy in 1028, succeeding his brother Richard III, Duke of Normandy, whom he was suspected of poisoning. In the 8th year of his reign, he set out on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Fatigue from the journed and the hot climate, weakened him and caused him to die on his return home in 1035, in Nice, Bithynia. William of Malmesbury recorded that his son William the Conqueror sent a mission to Constantinople and Nicea about 1086 to bring back his father's body, to be buried in Normandy. This mission travelled as far as Apulia, Italy on their return journey. Here they received word that William had died and they decided to re-inter Robert's body in Italy.
On his pilgrimage, he is said to have travelled barefoot and in such humble clothing that when he passed through a little town in France, a warder at the gate thought he was a beggar and struck him over the shoulders with a halbert. His friends wanted to avenge the insult, but he prevented it, saying, "Pilgrims ought to suffer for the love of God; I love his blow better than my city of Rouen."
When he reached Constantinople, he appeared in full state. His mule was even shod with silber shoes, which were purposely fastened on loosely so that they fell off and were a prize for the crowd. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he paid his devotions and made rich gifts at all of the holy shrines.
When his father died, his elder brother Richard III, succeeded as Duke of Normandy. Robert became Count of Hiemois. On the death of his brother, he succeeded. He is said to have received his nickname of "the Devil" or "le Diable" because he had his brother murdered. Another legend is that his mother was in dispair over not having a son and prayed to the devil for a son.
He had a mistress named Herleva, Herlette or Arlette of Falaise.
He had children:
1. Adeliza of Normandy, Countess of Aumale, b. 1029, named by Robert of Torigny in one place as full sister to William I and in another she is said to have had a different mother. She married 1. Engerrand II, Count of Ponthieu, 2. Lambert II, Count of Lens, 3. Odo II of Champagne
2. William the Conqueror, William I of England b. 1028
He is said to have sponsored monastic reform in Normandy.
Sources:
Gesta Normannorum Ducum
Royal & Noble Genealogical Data On the Web or Directory of Royal Genealogical Data
http://www3.dcs.hull.ac.uk/genealogy/royal/
Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Deluxe © 1999 The Learning Company, Inc.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2005, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Magnificent
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/505506/Robert-the-Devil
A History of France - Page 204
by George William Kitchin - France - 1892
Landmarks of History ... - Page 21
by Charlotte Mary Yonge, Edith L. Chase - World history - 1867
He was the son of Richard II of Normandy and Judith De Bretagne. Some sources call him Robert The Magnificent.
Robert helped in the restoration of Henry, King of France, to his throne and received the gratitude of the monarch, in the form of Vexin, as an addition to the lands he had received from his father.
He also aided Edward the Confessor, when he was in exile.
He became Duke of Normandy in 1028, succeeding his brother Richard III, Duke of Normandy, whom he was suspected of poisoning. In the 8th year of his reign, he set out on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Fatigue from the journed and the hot climate, weakened him and caused him to die on his return home in 1035, in Nice, Bithynia. William of Malmesbury recorded that his son William the Conqueror sent a mission to Constantinople and Nicea about 1086 to bring back his father's body, to be buried in Normandy. This mission travelled as far as Apulia, Italy on their return journey. Here they received word that William had died and they decided to re-inter Robert's body in Italy.
On his pilgrimage, he is said to have travelled barefoot and in such humble clothing that when he passed through a little town in France, a warder at the gate thought he was a beggar and struck him over the shoulders with a halbert. His friends wanted to avenge the insult, but he prevented it, saying, "Pilgrims ought to suffer for the love of God; I love his blow better than my city of Rouen."
When he reached Constantinople, he appeared in full state. His mule was even shod with silber shoes, which were purposely fastened on loosely so that they fell off and were a prize for the crowd. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he paid his devotions and made rich gifts at all of the holy shrines.
When his father died, his elder brother Richard III, succeeded as Duke of Normandy. Robert became Count of Hiemois. On the death of his brother, he succeeded. He is said to have received his nickname of "the Devil" or "le Diable" because he had his brother murdered. Another legend is that his mother was in dispair over not having a son and prayed to the devil for a son.
He had a mistress named Herleva, Herlette or Arlette of Falaise.
He had children:
1. Adeliza of Normandy, Countess of Aumale, b. 1029, named by Robert of Torigny in one place as full sister to William I and in another she is said to have had a different mother. She married 1. Engerrand II, Count of Ponthieu, 2. Lambert II, Count of Lens, 3. Odo II of Champagne
2. William the Conqueror, William I of England b. 1028
He is said to have sponsored monastic reform in Normandy.
Sources:
Gesta Normannorum Ducum
Royal & Noble Genealogical Data On the Web or Directory of Royal Genealogical Data
http://www3.dcs.hull.ac.uk/genealogy/royal/
Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Deluxe © 1999 The Learning Company, Inc.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2005, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Magnificent
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/505506/Robert-the-Devil
A History of France - Page 204
by George William Kitchin - France - 1892
Landmarks of History ... - Page 21
by Charlotte Mary Yonge, Edith L. Chase - World history - 1867
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