Водитель категории С

Описание

Henry V


Posth um ous p ortr a it o f H enry

Kin g o f E ngla nd; L оrdo f Ir e la nd ( m ore ...)

Reig n
21 M arc h 1 413 – 3 1 A ugust 1 42 2

Coro natio n
9 A pril 1 41 3

Pre dece sso r
Henry IV

Succe sso r
Henry V I

Born
16 S epte m ber 1 38 6[1 ][2 ]

Monm outh C astle , W ale s

Die d
31 A ugust 1 422 ( a ge d 3 5)

Châte au d e V in ce nnes, F ra n ce

Buria l
7 N ove m ber 1 422

Westm in ste r A bbey, L ondo n

Spouse
Cath erin e o f V alo is ( m . 1 42 0)

Is su e
Henry V I o f E ngla nd

House
Lanca ste r

Fath er
Henry IV o f E ngla nd

Moth er
Mary d e B ohun

Sig natu re

Henry V ( 1 6 S epte m ber 1 38 6 – 3 1 A ugust 1 422), a ls o c a lle d H enry o f M onm outh , w as K in g o f

Engla nd fr o m 1 413 u ntil h is e arly d eath in 1 422. H e w as th e s e co nd E nglis h m on arc h o f th e

House o f L anca ste r. D esp it e h is r e la tiv e ly s h ort r e ig n, H enry 's o uts ta ndin g m il it a ry s u cce sse s in

th e H undre d Y ears ' W ar a g ain st F ra nce , m ost n ota bly in h is fa m ou s v ic to ry a t th e B attle o f

Agin co urt in 1 415, m ade E ngla nd o ne o f th e s tr o n gest m il it a ry p ow ers in E uro pe.[3 ]

Im morta lis e d in th e p la ys o f S hake sp eare , H enry is k n ow n a nd c e le bra te d a s o ne o f th e g re at

warrio r k in gs o f m edieval E ngla n d.


In h is y o uth , d urin g th e r e ig n o f h is f a th e r H enry IV , H enry g ain ed m il it a ry e xp erie nce fig htin g

th e W els h d urin g th e r e vo lt o f O wain G ly n dŵ r a nd a gain st th e p ow erfu l a ris to cra tic P erc y fa m ily

of N orth um berla nd a t th e B attle o f S hre w sb ury . H enry a cq uir e d a n in cre asin g s h are in

Engla nd's g ove rn m ent d ue to th e k in g 's d eclin in g h ealt h , b ut d is a gre e m en ts b etw een fa th er a nd

so n le d to p olit ic a l c o nflic t b etw ee n th e tw o. A fte r h is fa th er's d eath in 1 413, H enry a ssu m ed

co ntr o l o f th e c o untr y a nd a sse rte d th e p endin g E ng lis h c la im to th e F re nch th ro ne.


In 1 415, H enry e m bark e d o n w ar w it h F ra n ce in th e o ngoin g H undre d Y ea rs ' W ar ( 1 337–1453)

betw een th e tw o n atio ns. H is m ili t a ry s u cce sse s c u lm in ate d in h is fa m ous v ic to ry a t th e B attle o f

Agin co urt ( 1 415) a nd s a w h im c o m e c lo se to c o nquerin g F ra n ce . T akin g a dva nta ge o f p olit ic a l

div is io ns w it h in F ra nce , h e c o nq uere d la rg e p ortio ns o f th e k in gdom a nd N orm andy w as

occu pie d b y th e E nglis h fo r th e fir s t tim e s in ce 1 345–1360. A fte r m onth s o f n egotia tio n w it h

Charle s V I o f F ra nce , th e T re aty o f T ro ye s ( 1 4 20) r e co gnis e d H enry V a s r e g ent a nd h eir

appare nt to th e F re nch th ro ne a n d h e w as s u bse quently m arrie d to C harle s's d aughte r,

Cath erin e o f V alo is .


Follo w in g th is a rra ngem en t, e ve ry th in g s e em ed to p oin t to th e fo rm atio n o f a u nio n b etw een th e

kin gdom s o f F ra nce a nd E ng la nd , in t h e p ers o n o f K in g H enry . H is s u dden a nd u nexp ecte d

death in F ra nce tw o y e ars la te r c o n dem ned E ng la nd to th e lo ng a nd d if fic u lt m in orit y o f h is

in fa nt s o n a nd s u cce sso r,[4 ] w ho r e ig ned a s H enry V I in E ng la nd a nd H enry II in F ra nce .



Conte nts

1 Early lif e

2 Role in g ove rn m ent a nd c o n flic t w it h H enry IV

3 Suppose d r io to us y o uth

4 Acce ssio n to th e th ro n e

5 Dom estic p olic y

6 Fore ig n a ffa ir s

6.1
Dip lo m acy

6.2
Cam paig ns in F ra nce

6.2 .1
1415 c a m paig n

6.2 .2
Dip lo m acy a nd c o m man d o f t h e s e a

6.2 .3
1417–20 c a m paig n

6.2 .4
1421 c a m paig n a n d d eath

7 Arm s

8 Marria ge

9 Ance str y

10
See a ls o

11
Footn ote s

12
Furth er r e adin g

13
Exte rn al lin ks

Early lif e

Henry w as b orn in th e to w er a bo ve th e g ate house o f M on m ou th C astle in W ale s, a nd fo r th at

re aso n w as s o m etim es c a lle d H enry o f M onm ou th .[5 ] H e w as th e s o n o f H enry o f B olin gbro ke

(la te r H enry IV o f E ngla nd ) a nd M ary d e B oh un, a nd th us a ls o th e p ate rn a l g ra n dso n o f th e

in flu entia l J o hn o f G aunt, a n d g re at- g ra nd so n o f E dw ard III o f E ng la nd. A t th e tim e o f h is b ir th ,

Ric h ard II, h is fir s t c o usin o n ce r e m ove d , w as k in g. H enry 's g ra n dfa th er, J o hn o f G aunt, w as th e

kin g's g uard ia n. A s h e w as n ot c lo se t o th e lin e o f s u cce ssio n to th e th ro ne, H enry 's d ate o f b ir th

was n ot o ffic ia lly d ocu m ente d ; a n d fo r m any y e ars it w as d is p ute d w heth er h e w as b orn in 1 386

or 1 387.[6 ] H ow eve r, r e co rd s in dic a te th at h is y o unger b ro th er T hom as w as b orn in th e a utu m n

of 1 387 a nd th at h is p are nts w ere a t M onm ou th in 1 386 b ut n ot in 1 387.[7 ] It is n ow a cce pte d

th at h e w as b orn o n 1 6 S epte m ber 1 386 .[8 ][2 ][1 2]



Half p enny o f H enry V

Upon th e e xile o f H enry 's fa th er in 1 39 8, R ic h ard II to ok th e b oy in to h is o w n c h arg e a nd tr e ate d

him k in dly .[1 3] T he y o ung H enry a cco m pa nie d K in g R ic h ard to Ir e la nd. W hile in th e r o ya l

se rv ic e , h e v is it e d T rim C astle in C ounty M ea th , th e a ncie nt m ee tin g p la ce o f th e Ir is h

Parlia m ent. In 1 399, H en ry 's g ra n dfa th er d ie d. In th e s a m e y e ar, K in g R ic h ard II w as o ve rth ro w n

by th e L anca str ia n u su rp a tio n th at b ro ugh t H enry 's fa th er to th e th ro ne a nd H enry w as r e ca lle d

fr o m Ir e la nd in to p ro m in ence a s h eir a ppare n t to th e K in gdom o f E ng la nd. H e w as c re ate d

Prin ce o f W ale s a t h is fa th er's c o ro natio n a nd D uke o f L anca ste r o n 1 0 N ove m be r 1 399, th e

th ir d p ers o n to h old th e tit le th at y e ar. H is o th er tit le s w ere D uke o f C orn w all, E arl o f C heste r

and D uke o f A quit a in e. A c o n te m po ra ry r e co rd n ote s th at d urin g th at y e ar, H enry s p ent tim e a t

The Q ueen's C olle ge, O xfo rd u nder th e c a re o f h is u ncle H enry B eaufo rt, th e c h ance llo r o f th e

univ e rs it y .[1 4] F ro m 1 400 to 1 404, h e c a rrie d o ut th e d utie s o f H ig h S he rif f o f C orn w all.


Less th an th re e y e ars la te r, H enry w as in c o m mand o f p art o f th e E nglis h fo rc e s. H e le d h is o w n

arm y in to W ale s a gain st O wain G ly n dŵ r a nd jo in ed fo rc e s w it h h is fa th er to fig ht H enry

"H ots p ur" P erc y a t th e B att le o f S hre w sb ury in 1 403.[1 5] It w as th ere th at th e s ix te en-y e ar-o ld

prin ce w as a lm ost k ille d b y a n a rro w th at b eca m e s tu ck in h is fa ce . A n o rd in ary s o ld ie r m ig ht

have d ie d fr o m s u ch a w ou nd, b ut H enry h ad th e b enefit o f th e b est p ossib le c a re . O ve r a

perio d o f s e ve ra l d ays, J o h n B ra dm ore , th e r o ya l p hysic ia n, tr e a te d th e w ound w it h h oney to a ct

as a n a ntis e ptic , c ra fte d a to ol to s cre w in to th e b ro ke n a rro w s h aft a nd th us e xtr a ct th e a rro w

wit h out d oin g fu rth er d am ag e a nd flu sh ed th e w ound w it h a lc o hol. T he o pera tio n w as

su cce ssfu l, b ut it le ft H enry w it h p erm an ent s ca rs , e vid ence o f h is e xp erie nce in b attle .[1 6] F or

eig hte en m onth s in 1 410 –11 , H enry w as in c o ntr o l o f th e c o untr y d urin g h is fa th er's ill h ealt h

and to ok fu ll a dva nta ge o f t h e o pportu nit y to im po se h is o w n p olic ie s. W hen th e k in g r e co ve re d,

he r e ve rs e d m ost o f th ese a nd d is m is se d th e p rin ce fr o m h is c o uncil. [1 7]


Role in g ove rn m ent a nd c o n flic t w it h H enry IV


Henry , w hile P rin ce o f W ale s, p re se ntin g T hom as H occle ve 's R egem en t o f P rin ce s to th e D uke

of N orfo lk ( 1 411–13), B rit is h L ib ra ry

The W els h r e vo lt o f O wain G ly n dŵ r a bso rb e d H enry 's e nerg ie s u ntil 1 408. T hen, a s a r e su lt o f

th e k in g's ill h ealt h , H enry b egan t o ta ke a w id er s h are in p olit ic s. F ro m J a nuary 1 410, h elp ed b y

his u ncle s H enry B eaufo rt a nd T hom as B ea ufo rt, le git im is e d s o ns o f J o hn o f G aunt, h e h ad

pra ctic a l c o ntr o l o f th e g ove rn m ent.[1 3]


Both in fo re ig n a nd d om estic p o lic y h e d if fe re d fr o m th e k in g, w ho d is ch arg e d th e p rin ce fr o m

th e c o uncil in N ove m ber 1 41 1. T he q ua rre l o f fa th er a nd s o n w as p olit ic a l o nly , th ough it is

pro bable th at th e B eaufo rts h ad d is cu sse d th e a bdic a tio n o f H enry IV . T heir o pponents c e rta in ly

endeavo ure d to d efa m e th e p rin ce .[1 3]


Suppose d r io to us y o uth

It m ay b e th at th e tr a dit io n o f H enry 's r io to us y o uth , im morta lis e d b y S hake sp eare , is p artly d ue

to p olit ic a l e nm it y . H enry 's r e co rd o f in vo lv e m en t in w ar a nd p olit ic s, e ve n in h is y o uth , d is p ro ve s

th is tr a dit io n. T he m ost fa m ous in cid en t, h is q uarre l w it h th e c h ie f ju stic e , h as n o c o nte m pora ry

auth orit y a nd w as fir s t r e la te d b y S ir T hom as E ly o t in 1 531.[1 8][1 3]

The s to ry o f F als ta ff o rig in ate d in H enry 's e arly fr ie ndsh ip w it h S ir J o hn O ld ca stle , a s u pporte r o f

th e L olla rd s. S hake sp eare 's F als ta ff w as o rig in ally n am ed " O ld ca stle ", fo llo w in g h is m ain

so urc e , T he F am ous V ic to rie s o f H enry V . H is d esce ndants o bje cte d a nd th e n am e w as

ch anged ( th e c h ara cte r b eca m e a c o m posit e o f s e ve ra l r e a l p ers o n s, in clu din g S ir J o hn F asto lf ) .

That fr ie ndsh ip , a nd th e p rin ce 's p olit ic a l o pposit io n to T hom as A ru ndel, A rc h bis h op o f

Cante rb ury , p erh aps e nco ura ged L o lla rd h opes. If s o , th eir d is a ppoin tm en t m ay a cco unt fo r th e

sta te m ents o f e ccle sia stic a l write rs lik e T hom as W als in gham th at H enry o n b eco m in g k in g w as

su ddenly c h anged in to a n ew m an.[1 9][1 3]


Acce ssio n to th e th ro ne

Afte r H enry IV d ie d o n 2 0 M arc h 1 413 , H enry V s u cce eded h im a nd w as c ro w ned o n 9 A pril

1413 a t W estm in ste r A bbey, L on don, K in gdom o f E ng la nd. T he c e re m on y w as m ark e d b y a

te rrib le s n ow sto rm , b ut th e c o m m on p e ople w ere u ndecid ed a s to w heth er it w as a g ood o r b ad

om en.[2 0] H enry w as d escrib ed a s h avin g b een " v e ry ta ll ( 6 ft 3 in ), s lim , w it h d ark h air c ro pped

in a r in g a bove th e e ars , a n d c le an -s h a ve n". H is c o m ple xio n w as r u d dy, th e fa ce le an w it h a

pro m in ent a nd p oin te d n ose . D epen din g o n h is m oo d, h is e ye s " fla sh ed fr o m th e m ild ness o f a

dove 's to th e b rillia nce o f a li o n's ".[ 2 1 ]


Dom estic p olic y


A g old n oble c o in o f H enry V

Henry ta ckle d a ll o f th e d o m estic p olic ie s to geth er a nd g ra d ually b uilt o n th em a w id er p olic y.

Fro m th e fir s t, h e m ade it c le ar th at h e w ould r u le E ng la nd a s th e h ead o f a u nit e d n atio n. O n

th e o ne h and, h e le t p ast d if fe re nce s b e fo rg o tte n – th e la te R ic h ard II w as h onoura bly

re -in te rre d; th e y o ung M ortim er w as ta ke n in to fa vo ur; th e h eir s o f th ose w ho h ad s u ffe re d in th e

la st r e ig n w ere r e sto re d g ra d uall y t o th eir tit le s a nd e sta te s. O n th e o th er h and, w here H enry

sa w a g ra ve d om estic d an ger, h e a cte d fir m ly a nd r u th le ssly , s u ch a s th e L olla rd d is co nte nt in

Ja nuary 1 414 a nd in clu din g th e e xe cu tio n b y b urn in g o f H enry 's o ld fr ie nd S ir J o hn O ld ca stle in

1417 to " n ip th e m ove m en t in th e b ud" a nd m ake h is o w n p osit io n a s r u le r s e cu re .[1 3]



Englis h c h ance ry h and. F acsim il e o f le tte r fr o m H enry , 1 418

His r e ig n w as g enera lly fr e e fr o m s e rio us tr o u ble a t h om e. T he e xce ptio n w as th e S outh am pto n

Plo t in fa vo ur o f M ortim er,[1 3] in vo lv in g H enry , L оrdS cro pe a nd R ic h ard , E arl o f C am brid ge

(g ra ndfa th er o f th e fu tu re K in g E dw ard IV o f E ng la nd), in J u ly 1 415. M ortim er h im se lf r e m ain ed

lo ya l to H enry .


Sta rtin g in A ugust 1 417, H enry V p ro m ote d th e u se o f th e E ng lis h la nguage in g ove rn m ent[2 2]

and h is r e ig n m ark s th e a ppe ara nce o f C hance ry S ta ndard E ng lis h a s w ell a s th e a doptio n o f

Englis h a s th e la nguage o f r e co rd w it h in g ove rn m en t. H e w as th e fir s t k in g to u se E nglis h in h is

pers o nal c o rre sp ondence s in ce th e N orm an c o nquest 3 50 y e ars e arlie r.[2 3][2 4]

Fore ig n a ffa ir s

Dip lo m acy


Silv e r g ro at o f H enry V , Y ork M use um s T ru st

Henry c o uld n ow tu rn h is a tte ntio n to fo re ig n a ffa ir s . A write r o f th e n ext g enera tio n w as th e fir s t

to a lle ge th at H enry w as e nco u ra g ed b y e ccle sia stic a l s ta te sm en to e nte r in to th e F re nch w ar a s

a m eans o f d iv e rtin g a tte ntio n f r o m h o m e tr o u ble s. T his s to ry s e em s to h ave n o fo undatio n. O ld

co m merc ia l d is p ute s a nd t h e s u pport t h e F re n ch h ad le nt to O wain G ly n dŵ r w ere u se d a s a n

excu se fo r w ar, w hile th e d is o rd e re d s ta te o f F ra n ce a ffo rd e d n o s e cu rit y fo r p eace .[1 3] T he

Fre nch k in g, C harle s V I o f F ra n ce , w as p ro n e to m en ta l illn ess; a t tim es h e th ought h e w as

made o f g la ss, a nd h is e ld est s u rv iv in g s o n w as a n u npro m is in g p ro sp ect. H ow eve r, it w as th e

old d yn astic c la im to th e t h ro ne o f F ra nce , fir s t p urs u e d b y E dw ard III o f E ngla nd, th at ju stif ie d

war w it h F ra nce in E nglis h o pin io n.


Follo w in g A gin co urt, S ig is m und , th en K in g o f H ungary a nd la te r H oly R om an E m pero r, m ade a

vis it to H enry in h opes o f m akin g p eace b e tw een E ng la nd a nd F ra n ce . H is g oal w as to

pers u ade H enry to m odif y h is d e m an ds a gain st th e F re n ch . H enry la vis h ly e nte rta in ed th e

em pero r a nd e ve n h ad h im e n ro lle d in t h e O rd e r o f th e G arte r. S ig is m un d, in tu rn , in ducte d

Henry in to th e O rd er o f th e D ra gon.[2 5] H enry h ad in te nded to c ru sa de fo r th e o rd er a fte r u nit in g

th e E nglis h a nd F re nch th ro nes, b ut h e d ie d b efo re fu lf illin g h is p la ns.[2 6][2 7][2 8] S ig is m und le ft

Engla nd s e ve ra l m onth s la te r, h avin g s ig n ed th e T re a ty o f C ante rb u ry a ckn ow le dgin g E nglis h

cla im s to F ra nce .


Cam paig ns in F ra nce

Henry m ay h ave r e gard e d th e a sse rtio n o f h is o w n c la im s a s p art o f h is r o ya l d uty , b ut a

perm anent s e ttle m ent o f t h e n a tio nal d ebate w as e sse ntia l to th e s u cce ss o f h is fo re ig n

polic y.[1 3]


1415 c a m paig n

Main a rtic le : S ie ge o f H arfle ur


The r a tif ic a tio n o f th e T re aty o f T ro ye s b etw een H enry a nd C harle s V I o f F ra n ce . A rc h iv e s

Natio nale s ( F ra nce ).

On 1 2 A ugust 1 415, H enry s a il e d fo r F ra nce , w here h is fo rc e s b esie ged th e fo rtr e ss a t H arfle ur,

ca ptu rin g it o n 2 2 S epte m ber. A fte rw ard s, H enry d ecid ed to m arc h w it h h is a rm y a cro ss th e

Fre nch c o untr y sid e to w ard s C ala is d esp it e th e w arn in gs o f h is c o uncil. [2 9] O n 2 5 O cto ber, o n

th e p la in s n ear th e v illa ge o f A gin co urt, a F re n ch a rm y in te rc e p te d h is r o u te . D esp it e h is

men-a t- a rm s b ein g e xh auste d, o utn um bere d a nd m aln ouris h ed, H enry le d h is m en in to b attle ,

decis iv e ly d efe atin g th e F re nch , w ho s u ffe re d s e ve re lo sse s. It is o fte n a rg ued th at th e F re nch

men-a t- a rm s w ere b ogge d d ow n in th e m uddy b attle fie ld , s o ake d fr o m th e p re vio us n ig ht o f

heavy r a in , a nd th at th is h in dere d th e F re nch a dva nce , a llo w in g th em to b e s it tin g ta rg ets fo r th e

fla nkin g E nglis h a nd W els h a rc h ers . M ost w ere s im ply h acke d to d eath w hile c o m ple te ly s tu ck in

th e d eep m ud. N eve rth ele ss, t h e v ic to ry is s e en a s H enry 's g re a te st, r a nkin g a lo ngsid e th e

Battle o f C ré cy ( 1 346) a n d th e B att le o f P oit ie rs ( 1 3 56) a s th e g re a te st E ng lis h v ic to rie s o f th e

Hundre d Y ears ' W ar.


Durin g th e b attle ,[3 0] H en ry o rd ere d th at th e F re n ch p ris o ners ta ke n d urin g th e b attle b e p ut to

death , in clu din g s o m e o f t h e m ost illu str io us w ho c o uld b e u se d fo r r a nso m . C am brid ge

his to ria n B re tt T in gle y p osit s th at H en ry w as c o nce rn e d th at th e p ris o ners m ig ht tu rn o n th eir

ca pto rs w hen th e E nglis h w ere b usy r e pellin g a th ir d w ave o f e nem y tr o o ps, th us je opard is in g a

hard -fo ught v ic to ry .


The v ic to rio us c o nclu sio n o f A gin co urt, fr o m th e E ng lis h v ie w poin t, w as o nly th e fir s t s te p in th e

ca m paig n to r e co ve r th e F re nch p osse ssio ns th at h e fe lt b elo nged to th e E nglis h c ro w n.

Agin co urt a ls o h eld o ut th e p ro m is e t h a t H enry 's p re te nsio ns to th e F re nch th ro ne m ig ht b e

re alis e d.


Dip lo m acy a nd c o m mand o f t h e s e a

Com mand o f th e s e a w as s e cu re d b y d riv in g th e G enoese a llie s o f th e F re nch o ut o f th e E nglis h

Channel. [1 3] W hile H enry w as o ccu pie d w it h p eace n egotia tio ns in 1 416, a F re n ch a nd

Genoese fle et s u rro unde d th e h arb ou r a t th e E ng lis h -g a rris o ned H arfle ur. A F re n ch la nd fo rc e

als o b esie ged th e to w n. T o r e lie ve H arfle ur, H enry s e nt h is b ro th er, J o hn o f L anca ste r, th e D uke

of B edfo rd , w ho r a is e d a f le et a nd s e t s a il fr o m B ea ch y H ead o n 1 4 A ug ust. T he

Fra nco -G enoese fle et w as d efe ate d t h e fo llo w in g d ay a fte r a g ru e llin g s e ve n-h o ur b attle a nd

Harfle ur w as r e lie ve d. D ip lo m acy s u cce ssfu lly d eta ch ed E m pero r S ig is m un d, H oly R om an

Em pero r, fr o m F ra nce a nd t h e T re a ty o f C ante rb u ry in 1 416 p ave d th e w ay to e nd th e W este rn

Sch is m in th e C hurc h .


1417–20 c a m paig n


Late 1 5th -c e ntu ry d epic tio n o f H enry 's m arria ge to C ath erin e o f V alo is . B rit is h L ib ra ry , L ondon.

Wit h th ose tw o p ote ntia l e nem ie s g o ne, a nd a fte r tw o y e ars o f p atie nt p re p ara tio n fo llo w in g th e

Battle o f A gin co urt, H enry r e ne w ed th e w ar o n a la rg e r s ca le in 1 417. L ow er N orm andy w as

quic kly c o nquere d a nd R ou en w as c u t o ff fr o m P aris a nd b esie ged. T his s ie ge c a st a n e ve n

dark e r s h adow o n th e r e pu ta tio n o f th e k in g th an h is o rd e r to s la y th e F re n ch p ris o ners a t

Agin co urt. R ouen, s ta rv in g a nd u nable to s u pport th e w om en a nd c h ild re n o f th e to w n, fo rc e d

th em o ut th ro ugh th e g ate s b eli e vin g t h a t H enry w ould a llo w th em to p ass th ro ugh h is a rm y

unm ole ste d. H ow eve r, H enry r e fu se d t o a llo w th is , a nd th e e xp elle d w om en a nd c h ild re n d ie d o f

sta rv a tio n in th e d it c h es s u rro und in g th e to w n. T he F re n ch w ere p ara ly se d b y th e d is p ute s

betw een B urg undia ns a n d A rm agnacs. H enry s kilf u lly p la ye d th em o ff o ne a gain st th e o th er

wit h out r e la xin g h is w arlik e a ppro ach .[ 1 3 ]


In J a nuary 1 419, R ouen f e ll . [ 1 3 ] T hose N orm an F re n ch w ho h ad r e sis te d w ere s e ve re ly

punis h ed: A la in B la nch ard , w ho h ad h a nged E ng lis h p ris o ners fr o m th e w alls o f R ouen, w as

su m marily e xe cu te d; R obert d e L iv e t, C anon o f R ouen, w ho h ad e xco m m unic a te d th e E nglis h

kin g, w as p acke d o ff to E ngla nd a nd im pris o ned fo r fiv e y e ars .[3 1]

By A ugust, th e E nglis h w ere o uts id e th e w alls o f P aris . T he in tr ig ues o f th e F re nch p artie s

cu lm in ate d in th e a ssa ssin atio n o f J o hn th e F earle ss, D uke o f B urg undy, b y th e D auphin 's

partis a ns a t M onte re au o n 1 0 S epte m ber. P hilip th e G ood, th e n ew d uke , a nd th e F re nch c o urt

th re w th em se lv e s in to H en ry 's a rm s. A fte r s ix m on th s o f n egotia tio n, th e T re a ty o f T ro ye s

re co gnis e d H enry a s th e h eir a nd r e gen t o f F ra n ce ( s e e E ng lis h K in gs o f F ra n ce ),[1 3] a nd o n 2

Ju ne 1 420 a t T ro ye s C ath ed ra l, h e m arrie d C ath erin e o f V alo is , th e F re n ch k in g's d aughte r.

They h ad o nly o ne s o n, H enry , b orn o n 6 D ece m be r 1 421 a t W in dso r C astle . F ro m J u ne to J u ly

1420, H enry 's a rm y b esie g ed a nd t o o k t h e m il it a ry fo rtr e ss c a stle a t M onte re a u-F ault - Y onne

clo se to P aris . H e b esie ge d a nd c a p tu re d M elu n in N ove m be r 1 420, r e tu rn in g to E ngla nd s h ortly

th ere afte r. In 1 428, C harle s V II r e to ok M onte re a u-F ault - Y onne, to o nce a gain s e e th e E nglis h

ta ke it o ve r w it h in a s h ort t im e. F in a lly , o n O cto ber 1 0, 1 437, C harle s V II w as v ic to rio us in

re gain in g M onte re au-F ault - Y onne.


1421 c a m paig n a nd d eath

While h e w as in E ngla nd , H enry 's b ro th er T hom as o f L anca ste r, 1 st D uke o f C la re nce , le d th e

Englis h fo rc e s in F ra nce . O n M arc h 2 2, 1 421, T hom as le d th e E ng lis h to a d is a str o us d efe at a t

th e B attle o f B augé a gain st a F ra nco -S co ttis h a rm y. T he d uke w as k ille d in th e b attle . O n 1 0

Ju ne, H enry s a ile d b ack t o F ra nce to r e tr ie ve th e s it u atio n. It w ould b e h is la st m ilit a ry

ca m paig n. F ro m J u ly to A ugu st, H en ry 's fo rc e s b esie ged a nd c a ptu re d D re u x, th us r e lie vin g

allie d fo rc e s a t C hartr e s. O n O cto ber 6 , h is fo rc e s la id s ie ge to M ea ux, c a ptu rin g it o n M ay 1 1,

1422.


Henry V d ie d s u ddenly o n 3 1 A ugu st 1 4 22 a t th e C hâte au d e V in ce nnes. H e w as th ought to

have d ie d fr o m d yse nte ry ,[3 2] s u ppose dly c o ntr a cte d d urin g th e s ie ge o f M eaux. H e w as 3 6

ye ars o ld a nd h ad r e ig ned fo r n in e y e ars .


Shortly b efo re h is d eath , H enry V n am ed h is b ro th er, J o hn o f L anca ste r, 1 st D uke o f B edfo rd ,

re gent o f F ra nce in th e n am e o f h is s o n, H enry V I o f E ng la nd, th en o nly a fe w m onth s o ld .

Henry V d id n ot liv e to b e c ro w ned K in g o f F ra n ce h im se lf , a s h e m ig ht c o nfid ently h ave

exp ecte d a fte r th e T re aty o f T ro ye s, b eca use th e s ic kly C harle s V I, to w hom h e h ad b een

nam ed h eir , s u rv iv e d h im b y tw o m on th s. H enry 's c o m ra de-in -a rm s a nd L оrdS te w ard , J o hn

Sutto n, 1 st B aro n D udle y, b ro ugh t h is b ody b ack to E ng la nd a nd b ore th e r o ya l s ta ndard a t h is

fu nera l. [3 3] H enry V w as b u rie d in W estm in ste r A bb ey o n 7 N ove m ber 1 422. B y H enry 's

re quest, h e s h are d h is g ra ve w it h h is fr ie n d, R ic h ard C ourte nay, r a th er th an h is w if e . T his w as

confirm ed in 1 953 w hen t h e g ra ve w as o pened. C ourte nay's d eath in 1 415 h ad le ft H enry

dis tr a ught. T he c lo se ness o f th e a tta ch m ent h as le d to s ch ola rly s p ecu la tio n th at C ourte nay

pla ye d a c rit ic a l r o le in m ento rin g H en ry to b eco m e a r e sp ecte d m onarc h a nd th at th e

atta ch m ent w as m ore th an a fr ie ndsh ip .[3 4] H ow eve r, th e a bbey s a ys th at R ic h ard C ourte nay's

gra ve w as fo und in th e b ase o f H en ry 's c h a ntr y , p erc h a nce d is tu rb ed w hen th e k in g's m em oria l

was b uilt .[3 5] A ls o , H enry 's la st w il l a nd c o d ic ils , w hic h g ave s p ecif ic in str u ctio ns o n h ow h e

sh ould b e b urie d, m ake n o m entio n o f a c o -b u ria l w it h a nyo ne e ls e .[3 6]

Arm s

Henry 's a rm s a s P rin ce o f W ale s w ere t h o se o f th e k in gdom , d if fe re nce d b y a la bel a rg ent o f

th re e p oin ts .[3 7] U pon h is a cce ssio n, h e in herit e d u se o f th e a rm s o f th e k in gdom u ndif fe re nce d.


Jo hn o f L anca ste r, 1 st D uke o f B edfo rd K G ( 2 0 J u ne 1 389 – 1 4 S ep te m ber 1 435) w as a

medieval E nglis h p rin ce , g en era l a nd s ta te sm an w ho c o m manded E ng la nd's a rm ie s in F ra nce

durin g a c rit ic a l p hase o f th e H und re d Y ears ' W ar. B ed fo rd w as th e th ir d s o n o f K in g H enry IV o f

Engla nd, b ro th er to H enry V , a nd a cte d a s r e g ent o f F ra n ce fo r h is n ephew H enry V I. D esp it e

his m ilit a ry a nd a dm in is tr a tiv e ta le nt, th e s it u atio n in F ra n ce h ad s e ve re ly d ete rio ra te d b y th e

tim e o f h is d eath .[1 ]


Bedfo rd w as a c a pable a dm in is tr a to r a n d s o ld ie r, a nd h is e ffe ctiv e m anagem ent o f th e w ar

bro ught th e E nglis h to th e h e ig ht o f th eir p ow er in F ra n ce . H ow eve r, d if fic u lt ie s m ounte d a fte r

th e a rriv a l o f J o an o f A rc , a nd h is e ffo rts w ere fu rth er th w arte d b y p olit ic a l d iv is io ns a t h om e a nd

th e w ave rin gs o f E ngla nd's k e y a lly , t h e d uch y o f B urg u ndy. In th e la st y e ars o f B edfo rd 's lif e ,

th e c o nflic t d evo lv e d in to a w ar o f a ttr it io n, a nd h e b eca m e in cre a sin gly u nable to g ath er th e

nece ssa ry fu nds to p ro se cu te th e c o n flic t.


Bedfo rd d ie d d urin g th e c o ngre ss o f A rr a s in 1 435, ju st a s B urg u ndy w as p re p arin g to a bandon

th e E nglis h c a use a nd c o n clu de a s e para te p eace w it h C harle s V II o f F ra n ce .



Conte nts

1 Lif e a cco unt

2 Marria ges

3 Succe ssio n

4 In lit e ra tu re

5 Arm s

6 Ance str y

7 Refe re nce s

8 Furth er r e adin g

9 Exte rn al lin ks

Lif e a cco unt

Afte r h is fa th er's a cce ssio n to th e th ro ne o f E ng la nd a s H enry IV in 1 399, J o hn o f L anca ste r

began to a ccu m ula te la nd s a nd lu cra tiv e o ffic e s. H e w as k n ig hte d o n 1 2 O cto ber 1 399 a t h is

fa th er's c o ro natio n a nd m ad e a K nig ht o f th e G arte r b y 1 402. B etw een 1 403 a nd 1 405 g ra nts o f

th e fo rfe it e d la nds fr o m th e H ou se o f P erc y a nd o f th e a lie n p rio ry o f O gbourn e, W ilt s h ir e ,

co nsid era bly in cre ase d h is in co m e. H e w as a ppoin te d m aste r o f th e m ew s a nd fa lc o ns in 1 402,

Consta ble o f E ngla nd in 1 403 a nd W ard en o f th e E ast M arc h fr o m 1 403 to 1 414.[2 ] H e w as

cre ate d E arl o f K endal, E arl o f R ic h m on d a nd D uke o f B ed fo rd in 1 414 b y h is b ro th er, K in g

Henry V .[3 ][4 ]


When H enry V d ie d in 1 42 2, B ed fo rd v ie d w it h h is y o unger b ro th er, H um phre y, D uke o f

Glo uce ste r, fo r c o ntr o l o f t h e K in g dom . B edfo rd w as d ecla re d r e g ent b ut fo cu se d o n th e o ngoin g

war in F ra nce , w hile d urin g h is a bse nce G lo uce ste r a cte d a s L оrdP ro te cto r o f E ngla nd. B edfo rd

defe ate d th e F re nch s e ve ra l tim es, m ost n ota bly a t th e B attle o f V ern e uil, u ntil th e a rriv a l o f

Jo an o f A rc r a llie d th e o p posit io n. B ed fo rd h anded J o an to a n e ccle sia stic a l c o urt, w hic h h ad

her tr ie d a nd e xe cu te d a t R ouen in 1 431, th ough B ed fo rd h im se lf to ok n o p art in th e tr ia l. H e

th en a rra nged a c o ro natio n fo r th e y o u ng H enry V I a t P aris .


Bedfo rd h ad b een G ove rn o r in N orm andy b etw een 1 422–1432 w here th e U niv e rs it y o f C aen

was fo unded u nder h is a u sp ic e s. H e w as a n e xtr e m ely im po rta nt c o m m is sio ner o f illu m in ate d

manuscrip ts , b oth fr o m P aris ( fr o m th e B ed fo rd M aste r a nd h is w ork sh o p) a nd E ngla nd. T he

th re e m ost im porta nt s u rv iv in g m an uscrip ts o f h is a re th e B ed fo rd H ours ( B rit is h L ib ra ry M s A dd

18850) a nd th e S alis b ury B re via ry ( P aris B nF M s L at. 1 7294), w hic h w ere b oth m ade in P aris ,

and th e B edfo rd P sa lt e r a nd H ours o f a b out 1 420–23, w hic h is E ng lis h ( B L M s A dd 4 2131). T his

la st is s ig ned in tw o p la ce s b y H erm an S ch eere . A ll a re la vis h ly d eco ra te d a nd fa m ous

exa m ple s o f th e s ty le o f th e p erio d.


Marria ges

Jo hn's fir s t m arria ge w as to A nne o f B urg undy ( d .1 432), d aughte r o f J o hn th e F earle ss o n 1 3

May 1 423 in T ro ye s,[5 ][a ] T he c o up le w ere h appily m arrie d, d esp it e b ein g c h ild le ss. A nne d ie d

of th e p la gue in P aris in 1 4 32.[6 ]


Jo hn's s e co nd m arria ge w as to J a cq ue tta o f L uxe m bo urg , o n 2 2 A pril 1 433 a t T héro uanne in

north ern F ra nce . T his m arria ge w as a ls o c h ild le ss, th ough J a cq uetta w ent o n to h ave m ore th an

a d oze n c h ild re n in h er s e co nd m arria ge .


In a ddit io n, o ut o f w edlo ck h e h ad a d au ghte r n am ed M ary , w ho m arrie d P ie rr e d e M ontfe rra nd

(d . 1 454), s o n o f B ertr a nd d e M ontfe rr a nd , a nd h ad is su e; a nd a s o n, R ic h ard .


Succe ssio n

Jo hn d ie d in 1 435 d urin g t h e C ongre ss o f A rra s a t h is C astle o f J o ye ux R epos in R ouen a nd

was b urie d a t R ouen C ath edra l n ea r H en ry th e Y ou ng K in g, b ut h is g ra ve w as d estr o ye d b y th e

Calv in is ts in 1 562. T oday a p la que m ark s th e fo rm er e m pla ce m en t o f h is g ra ve . H e h ad n o

le git im ate s u rv iv in g is su e.


In lit e ra tu re

He a ppears in W illia m S ha ke sp e are 's p la ys H enry IV , P art 1 a nd H enry IV , P art 2 a s J o hn o f

Lanca ste r, a nd in H enry V a nd H enry V I, P art 1 a s D uke o f B ed fo rd .


Georg ette H eye r's n ove l M y L оrdJ o hn d e als w it h h is lif e fr o m w hen h e w as fo ur to a bout

tw enty .


In th e 2 011 P hilip pa G re g ory n ove l, T he L ady o f th e R iv e rs , J o hn fe atu re s a s th e fir s t h usb and

of m ain c h ara cte r, J a cq ue tt a o f L uxe m bo urg .

Arm s


Coat o f a rm s o f J o hn o f L anca ste r, 1 st D uke o f B ed fo rd , d eta il fr o m B ed fo rd H ours


Arm s o f J o hn o f L anca ste r, 1 st D uke o f B ed fo rd : R oya l a rm s o f E ngla nd d if fe re n ce d b y a la bel

of fiv e p oin ts p er p ale e rm in e a n d F ra nce

As a s o n o f th e s o ve re ig n , J o hn b ore th e R oya l a rm s o f h is fa th er K in g H enry IV , d if fe re nce d b y

a la bel o f fiv e p oin ts p er p ale e rm in e a n d F ra n ce .[7 ]


In th e B edfo rd B ook o f H ours [8 ] th ese a rm s a re s h ow n s u pporte d b y a n e agle c o lla re d w it h a

cro w n a nd a s a ble y a le a ll o n a g o ld fie ld s e w n w it h g old " w ood s to cks" ( c u t tr e e s tu m ps w it h

ro ots ), a h era ld ic b adge o f K in g E dw ard III, r e fe rrin g to W oodsto ck P ala ce . It is p ossib le th at th e

ya le w as p ain te d in s ilv e r w hic h h as ta rn is h ed b la ck. T he s h ie ld is s u rro unded w it h a p air o f

banners g ule s w hic h r e ve rs e in a rg e nt w it h th e m otto r e p eate d fo ur tim es: A v o us e ntie r ( T o y o u

/ y o urs e ntir e [ly ]) . T his m ay b e a p u n o n th e G erm an T ie r, i. e ., b east, o r o n ( E nglis h ) te ars — or

't ie rs ' o f m eanin g, in clu din g tie rc e , r e fe rr in g to h im se lf a s th ir d in lin e to h is fa th er's th ro ne a nd

by n ow r ig htfu l k in g b ut fo r th e b ab y H enry V I. T he H ours w ere s u ppose dly p ro d uce d a s a

co urts h ip p re se nt fr o m J o hn to h is w if e , A nne, d aughte r o f J o hn th e F earle ss o f

Burg undy.[c it a tio n n eeded]


There is a Q ueen's A rm s p ub lic h ou se s ig n fr o m B ir m in gham [9 ] w hic h u se s th ese s u pporte rs

re ve rs e d a nd w it h a n a rg e nt y a le u nco lla re d o n a s h ie ld s h ow in g th e E nglis h r o ya l a rm s a t le ft

and to th e r ig ht s ix d iv is io ns r e pre se ntin g L orra in e. J o hn's s e co nd w if e , J a cq uetta o f

Luxe m bourg , c o usin to th e E m pero r ( th e K in g o f H ungary ), w as m oth er to E liz a beth W oodville

who m ay b e th is q ueen. E li z a beth W ood ville 's r ig ht to in herit th ese a rm oria l s u pporte rs w ould

se em d ubio us if th ey b elo n g to h er m oth er's fir s t h usb and o r to h is fir s t w if e . A lt e rn ativ e ly ,

th ough e qually in co rre ct, th e a rm s m ay b e h er m oth er's u se d in a fla tte rin g c o nce it


The A nglo -N orm ans w ere th e m edieval r u lin g c la ss in E ng la nd, c o m pose d m ain ly o f a

co m bin atio n o f e th nic A ng lo -S axo ns, N orm an s a nd F re n ch , fo llo w in g th e N orm an c o nquest. A

sm all n um ber o f N orm ans h ad e arlie r b efr ie nded fu tu re A ng lo -S axo n K in g o f E ng la nd, E dw ard

th e C onfe sso r, d urin g h is e xile in h is m oth er's h om ela nd o f N orm andy. W hen h e r e tu rn ed to

Engla nd s o m e o f th em w ent w it h h im , a nd s o th ere w ere N orm ans a lr e ady s e ttle d in E ngla nd

prio r to th e c o nquest. F ollo w in g t h e d eath o f E dw ard , th e p ow erfu l A nglo -S axo n n oble , H aro ld

Godw in so n, a cce ded to th e E nglis h th ro ne u ntil h is d efe at b y W illia m , D uke o f N orm andy a t th e

Battle o f H astin gs.


The in va din g N orm ans c a m e fr o m th e d uch y o f N orm andy in th e k in gdom o f F ra n ce . T hey

fo rm ed a r u lin g c la ss in B rit a in , d is tin ct f r o m ( a lt h ough in te r-m arry in g w it h ) th e n ativ e

popula tio ns. O ve r tim e th eir la ng uage e vo lv e d fr o m th e c o ntin enta l O ld N orm an to th e d is tin ct

Anglo -N orm an la nguage. A nglo -N orm ans q uic kly e sta blis h ed c o ntr o l o ve r a ll o f E ngla nd, a s w ell

as p arts o f W ale s ( th e C am bro -N orm ans). A fte r 1 130, p arts o f s o uth ern a nd e aste rn S co tla nd

ca m e u nder A nglo -N orm an r u le ( th e S co to -N orm ans), in r e tu rn fo r th eir s u pport o f D avid I's

co nquest. T he N orm an c o nque st o f Ir e la nd in 1 169 s a w A ng lo -N orm ans ( o r C am bro -N orm ans)

se ttle v a st s w ath s o f Ir e la n d, b eco m in g th e H ib ern o -N orm ans.


The c o m posit e expression r e gno N orm an-A nglo ru m fo r th e A ng lo -N orm an k in gdom th at

co m pris e s N orm andy a nd E ngla n d a ppe ars c o nte m po ra n eously o nly in th e H yd e C hro nic le .[1 ]



Conte nts

1 Norm an c o nquest

2 Milit a ry im pact

3 Norm an-S axo n c o n flic t

4 Wale s

5 Ir e la nd

6 Sco tla nd

7 Anglo -N orm an fa m ili e s

7.1
See a ls o

8 Refe re nce s

9 Furth er r e adin g

10
Exte rn al lin ks

Norm an c o nquest

Main a rtic le : N orm an c o nq uest o f E ng la nd


This s e ctio n d oes n ot c it e a n y s o urc e s. P le ase h elp im pro ve th is s e ctio n b y a ddin g c it a tio ns to

re lia ble s o urc e s. U nso urc e d m ate ria l m ay b e c h alle nged a nd r e m ove d. ( M ay 2 011) ( L earn h ow

and w hen to r e m ove th is t e m pla te m essa ge)

The N orm an c o nquest o f E ngla nd, b ein g a c o nquest b y a p eople w hose to ngue a nd in stit u tio ns

were d if fe re nt fr o m th ose o f th e E ngli s h in m an y a sp ects , w as a n e ve nt o f a n a lt o geth er d if fe re nt

ch ara cte r fr o m th e D anis h c o nq uest, a c o nquest b y a p eople w hose to ngue w as m ore a kin to

th ose o f th e E nglis h , b ut w ho se r e lig io n w as p agan. T he E ng lis h w ere C ath olic a nd s h are d th is

re lig io n w it h th e N orm ans a nd th ey h a d a lr e a dy a n in flu ence in E ngla nd, b efo re th e c o nquest.

Furth erm ore , th e r e la tio nsh ip s b etw ee n th e s a ilo rs fr o m b oth s id es o f th e E nglis h c h annel h ad

main ta in ed a c e rta in c o m m on c u lt u re .


The N orm ans w ere n ot a h om oge neou s g ro u p s p rin gin g fr o m S ca n din avia n s to ck, b ut m ostly

haile d fr o m a r e gio n o f F ra nce k n o w n a s N orm andy ( R om an is e d G allo -F ra nks). T he N orm ans

who in va ded E ngla nd d id it w it h a s tr o ng c o ntin gent fr o m a w id e c ro ss-s e ctio n o f n orth w este rn

and c e ntr a l F ra nce , fr o m M ain e, A njo u, B rit ta ny, F la nders , P oit o u a nd " F ra n ce " ( to day

Ile -d e-F ra nce ), a lt o geth er n on-N orm an m en a cco unte d fo r m ore th an a q uarte r o f th e a rm y a t

Hastin gs. In te rm s o f c u lt u re , th ey r e pre se nte d th e N orth ern F re n ch c iv ilis a tio n, w ho m ostly o nly

sp oke F re nch a nd o th er L ang ues d 'o ïl. T he N orm an s e ttle rs fe lt n o c o m m unit y w it h th e e arlie r

Danis h s e ttle rs , d esp it e th e fa ct th at th e N orm ans w ere th em se lv e s p artly d esce ndants o f th e

Danis h V ik in gs. H ow eve r, in th eir o w n a rm y, th ey d id n ot e ve n fe el a ny s e nse o f c o m munit y w it h

th e P oit o u, th e B re to ns, a n d o th er g ro ups th at h ad d if fe re n t d ia le cts ( o r in th e c a se o f th e

Bre to ns a nd F le m is h , a d if fe re nt la ngu age) a nd tr a d it io ns. T he a sso cia tio n b etw een th ese

dif fe re nt tr o ops w as o nly o cca sio nal a nd c o rre sp onds to a n im media te n ece ssit y fo r th e N orm an

ru le r. In fa ct, th e N orm an s m et w it h th e s te adie st r e sis ta nce in a p art o f E ngla nd th at w as th e

most in flu ence d b y th e D anis h . O ustin g th e D anis h le aders w ho r e ce ntly c o nquere d p arts o f

Engla nd a nd p ro vid ed s o m e o f th e s tif fe st r e sis ta nce to th e N orm ans, a nd la rg e ly r e pla cin g th e

pow erfu l E nglis h te rrit o ria l m agnate s, w hile c o -o p tin g th e m ost p ow erfu l o f th em , th e N orm ans

im pose d a n ew p olit ic a l s tr u ctu re th at is b ro a dly te rm ed " fe udal" ( h is to ria ns d ebate w heth er

pre -N orm an E ngla nd s h ould b e c o nsid ere d a fe udal g ove rn m en t – in deed, th e e ntir e

ch ara cte ris a tio n o f F eudali s m is u nd er s o m e d is p ute ).


Many o f th e E nglis h n oble s lo st la nd s a nd tit le s; th e le sse r th egns a nd o th ers fo und th em se lv e s

dis p osse sse d o f la nds a nd tit le s. A n u m be r o f fr e e g eburs h ad th eir r ig hts a nd c o urt a cce ss

much d ecre ase d, b eco m in g u nfr e e v ille in s, d esp it e th e fa ct th at th is s ta tu s d id n ot e xis t in

Norm andy it s e lf ( c o m pare d to o th er " F re nch " r e g io ns). A t th e s a m e tim e, m an y o f th e n ew

Norm an a nd N orth ern -F ra n ce m ag nate s w ere d is tr ib ute d la nds b y th e K in g th at h ad b een ta ke n

fr o m th e E nglis h n oble s. S om e o f th ese m ag nate s u se d th eir o rig in al F re n ch -d e riv e d n am es,

wit h th e p re fix 'd e,' m eanin g th ey w ere lo rd s o f th e o ld fie fs in F ra n ce , a nd s o m e in ste ad

dro pped th eir o rig in al n am es a n d to ok th eir n am es fr o m n ew E ng lis h h old in gs.



Norm an p osse ssio ns in th e 1 2th c e n tu ry .

The N orm an c o nquest o f E ngla nd b ro ug ht B rit a in a nd Ir e la nd in to th e o rb it o f th e E uro pean

co ntin ent, e sp ecia lly w hat r e m ain ed o f R om an -in flu ence d la nguage a nd c u lt u re . If th e e arlie r

Anglo -S axo n E ngla nd w as tie d to lo ca l t r a dit io ns, th e E ng la nd e m erg in g fr o m th e C onquest

ow ed a d ebt to th e R om an ce la n guag es a nd th e c u lt u re o f a ncie nt R om e, th at w as n ot s o

im porta nt b efo re th e C on que st, b ut w as m ain ta in ed a t a h ig h le ve l b y th e E ng lis h C ath olic

Churc h a nd th e c le rk s o f E ngla n d. I t tr a nsm it te d it s e lf in th e e m erg in g fe udal w orld th at to ok it s

pla ce . T hat h erit a ge c a n b e d is ce rn ed in la nguage, in co rp o ra tin g s h ard s o f th e F re nch la nguage

and th e R om an p ast, in a rc h it e ctu re , in th e e m erg in g R om an esq ue ( N orm an) a rc h it e ctu re , a nd

in a n ew fe udal s tr u ctu re e re cte d a s a b u lw ark a gain st th e c h aos th at o ve rto ok th e C ontin ent

fo llo w in g th e c o lla pse o f R om an a uth orit y a nd th e s u bse quent D ark A ge s. T he E ngla nd th at

em erg ed fr o m th e C onque st w as a d ecid edly d if fe re n t p la ce , b ut o ne th at h ad b een o pened u p

to th e s w eep o f o uts id e in flu e nce s.


Milit a ry im pact

The N orm an c o nquest o f E ngla nd a ls o s ig nalle d a r e vo lu tio n in m il it a ry s ty le s a nd m eth ods. T he

old A nglo -S axo n m ilit a ry e lit e b e gan to e m ig ra te , e sp ecia lly th e g enera tio n n ext y o unger to th at

defe ate d a t H astin gs, w ho h a d n o p artic u la r fu tu re in a c o untr y c o ntr o lle d b y th e c o nquero rs .

Willia m ( a nd h is s o n, W illi a m R ufu s), e nco ura g ed th em to le ave , a s a s e cu rit y m easu re . T he fir s t

to le ave w ent m ostly to D enm ark a nd m any o f th ese m ove d o n to jo in th e V ara ngia n G uard in

Consta ntin ople . T he A ng lo -S axo ns a s a w hole , h ow eve r w ere n ot d em il it a ris e d; th is w ould h ave

been im pra ctic a l. In ste ad, W ill ia m a rra nge d fo r th e S axo n in fa ntr y to b e tr a in ed u p b y N orm an

ca va lr y in a nti- c a va lr y ta ctic s. T his le d q uic kly to th e e sta blis h m en t o f a n A nglo -N orm an a rm y

made u p o f N orm an h ors e m en o f n o ble b lo od, S axo n in fa ntr y m en o fte n o f e qually n oble b lo od,

assim ila te d E nglis h fr e em en a s r a nk-a nd -file , a nd fo re ig n m erc e n arie s a nd a dve ntu re rs fr o m

oth er p arts o f th e C ontin e nt. T he y o un ger N orm an a ris to cra cy s h ow ed a te ndency to w ard s

Anglic is a tio n, a doptin g s u ch S axo n s ty le s a s lo ng h air a nd m ou sta ch es, u pse ttin g th e o ld er

genera tio n. ( N ote th at th e A nglo -S axo n c n ih t d id n ot ta ke th e s e nse o f th e F re nch c h eva lie r

befo re th e la te st p erio d o f M id dle E nglis h . J o hn W yclif fe ( 1 3 80s) u se s th e te rm k n yytis

generic a lly fo r m en-a t- a rm s, a nd o nly in th e 1 5th c e ntu ry d id th e w оrda cq uir e th e o ve rto nes o f

a n oble c a va lr y m an c o rre sp o ndin g to t h e m ea nin g o f c h eva lie r). T he A nglo -N orm an c o nquest in

th e 1 2th c e ntu ry b ro ught N orm an c u sto m s a nd c u lt u re to Ir e la nd.


Norm an-S axo n c o nflic t

The d egre e o f s u bse quent N orm an -S axo n c o nflic t ( a s a m atte r o f c o nflic tin g s o cia l id entit ie s) is

a q uestio n d is p ute d b y h is to ria ns. T he 1 9th -c e n tu ry v ie w w as o f in te nse m utu al r e se ntm ent,

re fle cte d in th e p opula r le ge nds o f R obin H ood a nd th e n ove l Iv a nhoe b y S ir W alt e r S co tt. S om e

re sid ual ill- fe elin g is s u gge ste d b y c o nte m pora ry h is to ria n O rd e ric V it a lis , w ho in E ccle sia stic a l

His to rii ( 1 125) w ro te in p ra is e o f n ativ e E nglis h r e sis ta nce to " W illia m th e B asta rd " ( W illia m I o f

Engla nd). In a ddit io n, a fin e c a lle d th e " m urd ru m ", o rig in ally in tr o d uce d to E ng lis h la w b y th e

Danes u nder C anute , w as r e viv e d, im po sin g o n v illa ges a h ig h ( 4 6 m ark /~ £31) fin e fo r th e

se cre t k illin g o f a N orm an ( o r a n u n kn ow n p ers o n w ho w as, u nder th e m urd ru m la w s, p re su m ed

to b e N orm an u nle ss p ro ve n o th erw is e ).


In o rd er to s e cu re N orm an lo ya lt y d urin g h is c o nquest, W illia m I r e w ard ed h is lo ya l fo llo w ers b y

ta kin g E nglis h la nd a nd r e dis tr ib utin g it to h is k n ig hts , o ffic ia ls , a nd th e N orm an a ris to cra cy. In

tu rn , th e E nglis h h ate d h im , b ut t h e k in g r e ta lia te d r u th le ssly w it h h is m il it a ry fo rc e to s u bdue th e

re bellio ns a nd d is co nte ntm ent. M ik e A sh le y write s o n th is s u bje ct; " h e [W illia m I] m ay h ave

co nquere d th em [th e E ng lis h ], b ut h e n e ve r r u le d th em ". N ot a ll o f th e A ng lo -S axo ns

im media te ly a cce pte d h im a s t h e ir le git im ate k in g.[2 ]


Whate ve r th e le ve l o f d is p ute , o ve r tim e, th e tw o p opula tio ns in te rm arr ie d a nd m erg ed.

Eve ntu ally , e ve n th is d is tin ctio n la rg ely d is a ppeare d in th e c o urs e o f th e H undre d Y ears W ar,

and b y th e 1 4th c e ntu ry N orm ans id e ntif ie d th em se lv e s a s E ng lis h , h avin g b een fu lly

assim ila te d in to th e e m erg in g E nglis h p opula tio n. H ow eve r, s o m e, lik e W illia m M ars h all, 1 st E arl

of P em bro ke , fe lt a lr e ady E ng lis h in t h e 1 2th c e ntu ry .[3 ]


Wale s

Main a rtic le : C am bro -N orm an

The N orm ans a ls o le d e xcu rs io n s in to W ale s fr o m E ng la nd a nd b uilt m ult ip le fo rtif ic a tio ns a s it

was o ne o f W illia m 's a m bit io ns to s u bd ue th e W els h a s w ell a s th e E ng lis h , h ow eve r h e w as n ot

entir e ly s u cce ssfu l. A fte rw ard s, h ow eve r, th e b оrde r a re a k n ow n a s th e M arc h es w as s e t u p a nd

Norm an in flu ence in cre ase d s te a dily . E nco ura g ed b y th e in va sio n, m onks ( u su ally fr o m F ra nce

or N orm andy) s u ch a s th e C is te rc ia n O rd er a ls o s e t u p m on aste rie s th ro u ghout W ale s. B y th e

15th c e ntu ry a la rg e n um ber o f W els h g entr y , in clu din g O wain G ly n dŵ r, h ad s o m e N orm an

ance str y . T he m ajo rit y o f k n ig hts w ho in va ded Ir e la nd w ere a ls o fr o m o r b ase d in W ale s ( s e e

belo w ).


Ir e la nd

Main a rtic le : H ib ern o-N orm an

Anglo -N orm an b aro ns a ls o s e ttle d in Ir e la nd fr o m th e 1 2th c e ntu ry , in it ia lly to s u pport Ir is h

re gio nal k in gs s u ch a s D ia rm uid M ac M urc h a dha w hose n am e h as a rr iv e d in m odern E nglis h a s

Derm ot M acM urro ugh. R ic h ard d e C la re , 2 nd E arl o f P em bro ke , k n ow n a s " S tr o ngbow ", w as th e

le ader o f th e A nglo -N orm an K nig hts w hom M acM urro ugh h ad r e q ueste d o f H enry II o f E ngla nd

to h elp h im to r e -e sta blis h h im se lf a s K in g o f L ein ste r. S tr o n gbow d ie d a v e ry s h ort tim e a fte r

in va din g Ir e la nd b ut th e m en h e b ro u ght w it h h im r e m ain ed to s u pport H enry II o f E ngla nd a nd

his s o n J o hn a s L оrdo f Ir e la n d. C hie f a m ong th e e arly A ng lo -N orm an s e ttle rs w as T heobald

Walt e r ( s u rn am e B utle r) a p poin te d h ere dit a ry c h ie f B utle r o f Ir e la nd in 1 177 b y K in g H enry II[4 ]

and fo under o f o ne o f th e o ld est r e m ain in g B rit is h d ig nit ie s. M ost o f th ese N orm ans c a m e fr o m

Wale s, n ot E ngla nd, a nd th us th e e pit h e t 'C am bro -N orm ans' is u se d to d escrib e th em b y le adin g

la te m edie va lis ts s u ch a s S eán D uffy . T hey in cre a sin gly in te gra te d w it h th e lo ca l C elt ic n obilit y

th ro ugh in te rm arria ge a n d b eca m e m ore Ir is h th an th e Ir is h th em se lv e s, e sp ecia lly o uts id e th e

Pale a ro und D ublin . T hey a re k n ow n a s O ld E ng lis h , b ut th is te rm c a m e in to u se to d escrib e

th em o nly in 1 580, i. e ., o ve r fo ur c e n tu rie s a fte r th e fir s t N orm ans a rriv e d in Ir e la nd.


The C aro l w as a p opula r N orm an d a nce in w hic h th e le ader s a ng a nd w as s u rr o unded b y a

cir c le o f d ance rs w ho r e pli e d w it h th e s a m e s o ng. T his N orm an d ance w as p erfo rm ed in

co nquere d Ir is h to w ns.


Sco tla nd

Main a rtic le s: D avid ia n R evo lu tio n a nd S co to -N orm an


Sco tla nd fr o m th e M atth ew P aris m ap , c . 1 250.

David I, w ho h ad s p ent m ost o f h is li f e a s a n E ng lis h b aro n , b eca m e k in g o f S co tla nd in 1 124.

His r e ig n s a w w hat h as b ee n c h ara cte ris e d a s a " D avid ia n R evo lu tio n", b y w hic h n ativ e

in stit u tio ns a nd p ers o nne l w ere r e pla ce d b y E ng lis h a nd F re n ch o nes.[5 ][6 ] M em bers o f th e

Anglo -N orm an n obilit y to o k u p p la ce s in th e S co ttis h a ris to cra cy a nd h e in tr o duce d a s yste m o f

fe udal la nd te nure , w hic h p ro duce d k n ig ht s e rv ic e , c a stle s a nd a n a va ila ble b ody o f h eavily

arm ed c a va lr y . H e c re ate d a n A nglo -N orm an s ty le o f c o urt, in tr o d uce d th e o ffic e o f ju stic a r to

ove rs e e ju stic e , a nd lo ca l o ff ic e s o f s h e rif fs to a dm in is te r lo ca lit ie s. H e e sta blis h ed th e fir s t r o ya l

burg hs in S co tla nd, g ra ntin g r ig hts t o p a rtic u la r s e ttle m en ts , w hic h le d to th e d eve lo pm ent o f th e

fir s t tr u e S co ttis h to w ns a nd h elp e d fa cilit a te e co nom ic d eve lo pm ent a s d id th e in tr o ductio n o f

th e fir s t r e co rd ed S co ttis h c o in age . H e c o ntin ued a p ro ce ss b egun b y h is m oth er a nd b ro th ers ,

of h elp in g to e sta blis h fo u nda tio ns th at b ro u ght th e r e fo rm ed m on astic is m b ase d o n th at a t

Clu ny. H e a ls o p la ye d a p art in th e o rg anis a tio n o f d io ce se o n lin es c lo se r to th ose in th e r e st o f

Weste rn E uro pe.[7 ] T hese r e fo rm s w ere p urs u e d u nder h is s u cce sso rs a nd g ra ndch ild re n

Malc o lm IV o f S co tla nd a n d W illi a m I, w it h th e c ro w n n ow p assin g d ow n th e m ain lin e o f d esce nt

th ro ugh p rim ogenit u re , le a din g t o th e fir s t o f a s e rie s o f m in orit ie s.

Willia m th e C onquero r


Willia m a s d epic te d in th e B aye ux T apestr y d urin g th e B attle o f H astin gs, lif tin g h is h elm to

sh ow th at h e is s till a liv e

Kin g o f E ngla nd

Reig n
25 D ece m ber 1 066 –

9 S epte m ber 1 087

Coro natio n
25 D ece m be r 1 06 6

Pre dece sso r
Edgar th e Æ th elin g ( u ncro w ne d)

Haro ld G odw in so n ( c ro w ned )

Succe sso r
Willia m II

Duke o f N orm andy

Reig n
3 J u ly 1 035 – 9 S ep te m be r 1 08 7

Pre dece sso r
Robert th e M ag nif ic e n t

Succe sso r
Robert C urth ose

Born
about 1 028[1 ]

Fala is e , D uch y o f N orm an dy

Die d
9 S epte m ber 1 087 ( a g ed a bo ut 5 9)

Prio ry o f S ain t G erv a se , R ouen , D uch y o f N orm andy

Buria l
Sain t- É tie nne d e C aen , N orm andy

Spouse
Matild a o f F la n ders

Is su e

Deta il

Robert II, D uke o f N orm an dy

Ric h ard o f N orm andy

Adeliz a

Cecilia

Willia m II, K in g o f E ngla nd

Consta nce , D uch ess o f B rit ta ny

Adela , C ounte ss o f B lo is

Henry I, K in g o f E ngla nd

House
Norm andy

Fath er
Robert th e M agnif ic e n t

Moth er
Herle va o f F ala is e

Willia m I[a ] ( c . 1 028[1 ] – 9 S ep te m be r 1 08 7), u su ally k n ow n a s W illia m th e C onquero r a nd

so m etim es W illia m th e B asta rd ,[2 ][ b ] w as th e fir s t N orm an K in g o f E ng la nd, r e ig nin g fr o m 1 066

until h is d eath in 1 087. A d esce ndan t o f R ollo , h e w as D uke o f N orm andy fr o m 1 035 o nw ard .

Afte r a lo ng s tr u ggle to e sta blis h h is p o w er, b y 1 060 h is h old o n N orm andy w as s e cu re , a nd h e

la unch ed th e N orm an c o nq uest o f E ngla nd s ix y e ars la te r. T he r e st o f h is lif e w as m ark e d b y

str u ggle s to c o nso lid ate h is h old o ve r E ngla nd a nd h is c o ntin enta l la nds a nd b y d if fic u lt ie s w it h

his e ld est s o n.

Willia m w as th e s o n o f th e u n m arrie d R ob ert I, D uke o f N orm andy, b y R obert's m is tr e ss

Herle va . H is ille git im ate s ta tu s a nd h is y o uth c a use d s o m e d if fic u lt ie s fo r h im a fte r h e

su cce eded h is fa th er, a s d id th e a na rc h y th at p la gued th e fir s t y e ars o f h is r u le . D urin g h is

ch ild hood a nd a dole sce nce , m em bers o f th e N orm an a ris to cra cy b attle d e ach o th er, b oth fo r

co ntr o l o f th e c h ild d uke a nd fo r t h e ir o w n e nds. In 1 047 W illia m w as a ble to q uash a r e bellio n

and b egin to e sta blis h h is a u th orit y o ve r th e d uch y, a p ro ce ss th at w as n ot c o m ple te u ntil a bout

1060. H is m arria ge in th e 1 0 50s to M atil d a o f F la nders p ro vid ed h im w it h a p ow erfu l a lly in th e

neig hbourin g c o unty o f F la n ders . B y t h e tim e o f h is m arria ge, W illia m w as a ble to a rra nge th e

appoin tm ent o f h is s u pporte rs a s b is h ops a nd a bbots in th e N orm an c h urc h . H is c o nso lid atio n o f

pow er a llo w ed h im to e xp a nd h is h o riz o ns, a nd b y 1 062 W illia m s e cu re d c o ntr o l o f th e

neig hbourin g c o unty o f M ain e.


In th e 1 050s a nd e arly 1 060 s W il lia m b eca m e a c o nte nder fo r th e th ro ne o f E ngla nd, th en h eld

by th e c h ild le ss E dw ard th e C onfe sso r, h is fir s t c o usin o nce r e m ove d. T here w ere o th er

pote ntia l c la im ants , in clu d in g t h e p ow erfu l E ng lis h e arl H aro ld G odw in so n, w ho w as n am ed th e

next k in g b y E dw ard o n t h e la tt e r's d ea th bed in J a nuary 1 066. W illia m a rg u ed th at E dw ard h ad

pre vio usly p ro m is e d th e th ro ne t o h im a nd th at H aro ld h ad s w orn to s u pport W illia m 's c la im .

Willia m b uilt a la rg e fle et a nd in va ded E ngla nd in S ep te m be r 1 066, d ecis iv e ly d efe atin g a nd

killin g H aro ld a t th e B attle o f H astin gs o n 1 4 O cto ber 1 066. A fte r fu rth er m ilit a ry e ffo rts W illia m

was c ro w ned k in g o n C hris tm as D ay 1 06 6, in L ondon. H e m ad e a rr a ngem en ts fo r th e

gove rn ance o f E ngla nd in e arly 1 067 b e fo re r e tu rn in g to N orm andy. S eve ra l u nsu cce ssfu l

re bellio ns fo llo w ed, a nd b y 1 075 W ill ia m 's h old o n E ng la nd w as m ostly s e cu re , a llo w in g h im to

sp end th e m ajo rit y o f th e r e st o f h is r e ig n o n th e c o ntin ent.


Willia m 's fin al y e ars w ere m ark e d b y d if fic u lt ie s in h is c o ntin enta l d om ain s, tr o uble s w it h h is

eld est s o n, a nd th re ate ned in va sio n s o f E ngla nd b y th e D anes. In 1 086 W illia m o rd ere d th e

co m pila tio n o f th e D om esd ay B ook, a s u rv e y lis tin g a ll th e la ndhold in gs in E ngla nd a lo ng w it h

th eir p re -C onquest a nd c u rre nt h old ers . W illia m d ie d in S ep te m be r 1 087 w hile le adin g a

ca m paig n in n orth ern F ra n ce , a nd w as b u rie d in C aen. H is r e ig n in E ngla nd w as m ark e d b y th e

co nstr u ctio n o f c a stle s, th e s e ttlin g o f a n ew N orm an n obilit y o n th e la nd, a nd c h ange in th e

co m posit io n o f th e E nglis h c le rg y. H e d id n ot tr y to in te gra te h is v a rio us d om ain s in to o ne

em pir e b ut in ste ad c o ntin ued t o a d m in is te r e ach p art s e para te ly . W illia m 's la nds w ere d iv id ed

afte r h is d eath : N orm andy w ent to h is e ld e st s o n, R obert C urth ose , a nd h is s e co nd s u rv iv in g

so n, W illia m R ufu s, r e ce iv e d E ngla nd.



Conte nts

1 Backg ro und

2 Early lif e

3 Duke o f N orm andy

3.1
Challe nges

3.2
Conso lid atio n o f p ow er

3.3
Appeara nce a nd c h ara cte r

3.4
Norm an a dm in is tr a tio n

4 Englis h a nd c o ntin e nta l c o nce rn s

5 In va sio n o f E ngla n d

5.1
Haro ld 's p re para tio ns

5.2
Willia m 's p re para tio ns

5.3
Tostig a nd H ard ra d a's in va sio n

5.4
Battle o f H astin gs

5.5
Marc h o n L ondon

6 Conso lid atio n

6.1
Fir s t a ctio ns

6.2
Englis h r e sis ta nce

6.3
Churc h a ffa ir s

7 Tro uble s in E ngla nd a nd th e c o ntin ent

7.1
Danis h r a id s a nd r e bellio n

7.2
Revo lt o f th e E arls

7.3
Tro uble s a t h om e a n d a bro ad

7.4
Last y e ars

8 Willia m a s k in g

8.1
Changes in E ngla n d

8.2
Adm in is tr a tio n

8.3
Dom esd ay B ook

9 Death a nd a fte rm ath

10
Legacy

11
Fam ily a nd c h ild re n

12
See a ls o

13
Note s

14
Cit a tio ns

15
Refe re nce s

16
Exte rn al lin ks

Backg ro und

Nors e m en fir s t b egan r a id in g in w hat b eca m e N orm andy in th e la te 8 th c e ntu ry . P erm anent

Sca ndin avia n s e ttle m ent o ccu rre d b efo re 9 11, w hen R ollo , o ne o f th e V ik in g le aders , a nd K in g

Charle s th e S im ple o f F ra n ce r e ach ed a n a gre e m en t s u rre nderin g th e c o unty o f R ouen to R ollo .

The la nds a ro und R ouen b eca m e th e c o re o f th e la te r d uch y o f N orm andy.[3 ] N orm andy m ay

have b een u se d a s a b ase w he n S ca n din avia n a tta cks o n E ng la nd w ere r e new ed a t th e e nd o f

th e 1 0th c e ntu ry , w hic h w ould h a ve w ors e ned r e la tio ns b etw een E ngla nd a nd N orm andy.[4 ] In

an e ffo rt to im pro ve m atte rs , K in g Æ th elr e d th e U nre a dy to ok E m m a o f N orm andy, s is te r o f

Duke R ic h ard II, a s h is s e co n d w if e in 1 0 02.[5 ]


Danis h r a id s o n E ngla nd c o ntin u ed, a nd Æ th elr e d s o ught h elp fr o m R ic h ard , ta kin g r e fu ge in

Norm andy in 1 013 w hen K in g S w ein I o f D enm ark d ro ve Æ th elr e d a nd h is fa m il y fr o m E ngla nd.

Sw ein 's d eath in 1 014 a llo w ed Æ th elr e d to r e tu rn h om e, b ut S w ein 's s o n C nut c o nte ste d

Æth elr e d's r e tu rn . Æ th elr e d d ie d u n exp ecte dly in 1 016, a nd C nut b eca m e k in g o f E ngla nd.

Æth elr e d a nd E m ma's tw o s o n s, E dw ard a nd A lf r e d , w ent in to e xile in N orm andy w hile th eir

moth er, E m ma, b eca m e C nut's s e co nd w if e .[6 ]


Afte r C nut's d eath in 1 035, th e E nglis h t h ro n e fe ll to H aro ld H are fo ot, h is s o n b y h is fir s t w if e ,

while H arth acn ut, h is s o n b y E m ma, b eca m e k in g in D enm ark . E ngla nd r e m ain ed u nsta ble .

Alf r e d r e tu rn ed to E ngla nd in 1 036 to v is it h is m oth er a nd p erh a ps to c h alle nge H aro ld a s k in g.

One s to ry im plic a te s E arl G odw in o f W esse x in A lf r e d 's s u bse quent d eath , b ut o th ers b la m e

Haro ld . E m ma w ent in to e xil e in F la nders u ntil H arth acn ut b eca m e k in g fo llo w in g H aro ld 's d eath

in 1 040, a nd h is h alf - b ro th er E dw ard f o llo w ed H arth acn ut to E ng la nd; E dw ard w as p ro cla im ed

kin g a fte r H arth acn ut's d ea th in J u ne 1 0 42.[7 ][c ]


Early lif e


Châte au d e F ala is e in F ala is e , L ow er N orm andy, F ra n ce ; W illia m w as b orn in a n e arlie r b uild in g

here .

Willia m w as b orn in 1 027 o r 1 028 a t F ala is e , D uch y o f N orm andy, m ost lik e ly to w ard s th e e nd o f

1028.[1 ][8 ][d ] H e w as th e o nly s o n o f D uke R obert I, s o n o f D uke R ic h ard II.[e ] H is m oth er,

Herle va , w as th e d aughte r o f F ulb e rt o f F ala is e ; F ulb ert m ay h ave b een a ta nner o r

em balm er.[9 ] S he w as p ossib ly a m em ber o f th e d uca l h ouse hold , b ut d id n ot m arry R obert.[2 ]

In ste ad, s h e la te r m arrie d H erlu in d e C on te ville , w it h w hom s h e h ad tw o s o ns – O do o f B aye ux

and R obert, C ount o f M orta in – a nd a d a ughte r w hose n am e is u nkn ow n.[f] O ne o f H erle va 's

bro th ers , W alt e r, b eca m e a s u pporte r a n d p ro te cto r o f W illia m d urin g h is m in orit y .[9 ][g ] R obert

als o h ad a d aughte r, A de la id e, b y a noth e r m is tr e ss.[1 2]


Robert b eca m e D uke o f N orm andy o n 6 A ug ust 1 027, s u cce edin g h is e ld er b ro th er R ic h ard III,

who h ad o nly s u cce eded t o th e tit le th e p re vio us y e ar.[1 ] R obert a nd h is b ro th er h ad b een a t

odds o ve r th e s u cce ssio n, a nd R ic h ard 's d eath w as s u dden. R obert w as a ccu se d b y s o m e

write rs o f k illin g h is b ro th er, a p la usib le b u t n ow u npro va ble c h arg e .[1 3] C ondit io ns in N orm andy

were u nse ttle d, a s n oble f a m ilie s d esp oile d th e C hurc h a nd A la n III o f B rit ta ny w aged w ar

again st th e d uch y, p ossib ly in a n a tte m pt to ta ke c o ntr o l. B y 1 031 R obert h ad g ath ere d

co nsid era ble s u pport fr o m n ob le m en, m an y o f w hom w ould b eco m e p ro m in ent d urin g W illia m 's

lif e . T hey in clu ded R obert's u ncle , R obert th e a rc h b is h op o f R ouen, w ho h ad o rig in ally o ppose d

th e d uke , O sb ern , a n ephe w o f G un nor th e w if e o f D uke R ic h ard I, a nd C ount G ilb ert o f B rio nne,

a g ra ndso n o f R ic h ard I.[ 1 4] A fte r h is a cce ssio n, R obert c o ntin ued N orm an s u pport fo r th e

Englis h p rin ce s E dw ard a n d A lf r e d, w ho w ere s till in e xile in n orth ern F ra n ce .[2 ]


There a re in dic a tio ns th at R ob ert m ay h ave b een b rie fly b etr o th ed to a d aughte r o f K in g C nut,

but n o m arria ge to ok p la ce . It is u n cle ar if W illia m w ould h ave b een s u ppla nte d in th e d uca l

su cce ssio n if R obert h ad h ad a le git im ate s o n. E arli e r d uke s h ad b een ille git im ate , a nd W illia m 's

asso cia tio n w it h h is fa th er o n d u ca l c h arte rs a ppears to in dic a te th at W illia m w as c o nsid ere d

Robert's m ost lik e ly h eir .[2 ] I n 1 0 34 D uke R obert d ecid ed to g o o n