My Genealogy Home Page:Information about King William I of England
King William I of England (b. October 14, 1024, d. October 09, 1087)
Notes for King William I of England:
Norman Conquest
The death of Edward 'the Confessor', king of England, initiated a brief period of conflict between the various claimants to his throne that irrevocably changed the country of England. Immediately following the death of Edward, Earl Harold Godwinson was elected and coronated king by the English nobility, and he became known as King Harold II.
However, Duke William of Normandy had a powerful claim to the throne, because Edward had developed strong Norman sympathies during his long exile in Normandy and had selected William as his heir. Additionally, King Harald Hardrada of Norway also had a strong claim to the throne, based on a treaty that had been made between Magnus, the son of Harald's brother St. Olaf, and Harthacnut, the son of King Cnut, who was the ruler of England, Denmark, and Norway that had originally sent Edward into exile. Consequently, Harold II immediately faced attackers on two fronts after his accession to the throne. The Norwegians threatened from the north, while the Normans loomed in the south.
The Norwegians were first to attack England, aided by Harold's own brother Tostig, Earl of Northumberland. Harald Hardrada's forces landed on the Humber river, scored a quick victory over the Mercians, and then began a march toward the city of York. Harold's forces intercepted the Norwegians at Stamford Bridge and defeated them decisively on September 25, 1066. Both Tostig and Harald Hardrada were slain in the battle.
However, the Normans had already launched their attack and they landed to find the English unprepared. Harold quickly hauled his forces back to the south to confront the threat, but when his soldiers arrived they were exhausted by the difficulty of making a forced march so soon after their great battle. William's spearmen and cavalrymen easily scattered and slaughtered Harold's weary axemen at the Battle of Hastings. Harold himself was slain and according to tradition, fell when an arrow pierced his eye. William subsequently gathered enough support among the English nobility to be crowned king of England in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, 1066.
Yet, there was still resistance to William's rule. Sporadic ambushes were made by the native Anglo-Saxons, who slew groups of Normans in deserted and out- of-the-way places. William also had to contend with more organized uprisings in Kent and Exeter. In 1170, Northumbrian rebels captured the city of York with the help of Danish allies. William was forced to embark on a ruthless 'scorched earth' policy and put a large number of villages and farmlands to the torch until the rebellion was extinguished. The threat of a Danish invasion in 1195, forced him to repeat his actions. This, together with the heavy taxation that accompanied his rule, earned William the reputation of an oppressor.
The Norman Conquest of England had profound results for the country of England. They took over some existing efficient Anglo-Saxon institutions without changing them, such as the taxation and coinage systems and the organization of local government into counties and hundreds. However, the Normans also initiated many important changes. The Normans imported the feudal system and a strong bureaucratic form of government. They built the first castles in England, reformed monasteries, and constructed towns on the Norman model. More notably, they brought great linguistic changes. Latin was imported as the official language of government and legal matters and French became the language of the nobility. These new tongues largely supplanted the indigenous Old English language and greatly changed the way in which English people, places, and things came to be named.
This invasion did not mark the first time that England had come under the rule of a foreign power. England had often been invaded by Scandinavians in the past and had already been ruled by the aforementioned King Cnut, among others. The Normans were themselves of this same Scandinavian stock. Nevertheless, this invasion sparked an unprecedented era in English history and resulted in significant political, social, and linguistic change.
the following from "the tribes"
yair davidi
THE NORMANS
The Normans had the same country of origin in North Germany as
the Saxons according to Julian5. They were called Transalbingi or nordalbingi6 (i.e. "North-of-the-Elbe") like the Saxons had also been termed. These Norman- "Nordalbingi" were connected to the remnant of Angles and Saxons who were left behind when their compatriots invaded England or who for some reason returned from the invasion. The Normans moved into scandinavia and dwelt in parts of Denmark and Norway before moving onwards. there were some Swedes7 amongst the Normans though Norwegian sagas and
English tradition8 suggest that most of them came from Norway. Genealogies
of Norman-descended nobles in England often trace them to early Norwegian
kings and heroes. Place-names in Normandy (France) suggest links with
Norway. Modern consensus9, however, seems to be that the Normans came
mainly from Denmark. Wherever they came from, they had their own
peculiarities and quickly developed their own national character and
culture. They even may have had their own particular physical features
being often presumed as appearing somewhat darker than the usual
Scandinavian, tending even to dusky, and also as being tall and lanky
though these impressions may be exaggerated. The point is, in the same way
as other groups had earlier emerged from the midst of the Scandinavians as
distinct recognizable entities, so the Normans may always have been a
distinct people a hard core of which had maintained their own identity.
The Normans really became recognizable to the historian when
in 860 CE a band of Vikings led By Rollo received the area afterwards
called Normandy from the King of France. Those Vikings who settled in
Normandy together with local inhabitants who intermarried with them and/or
identified with them became known as the Normans. Dudo10 (ca 960), himself
a Norman, said that the Normans came from Danes descendants of the ancient
(Greek) Danae and had reached the north via the Balkans and that their
forefathers were the Dacae. There are Danish traditions that trace their
ancestry back to Israel.
Within one or two generations of their first settlement the
Normans were no longer recognizable as Scandinavian. They had changed their
language11, religion, and culture. They intermixed with the peoples
ofBrittany in France. These were Celts and Alans. The Alans had come from
the Caucasus area at the time of Attilla the Hun and settled in Brittany.
Their use of armored cavalry. These were Celtsand tactics were to
influence the Normans12. Those Alans who remained in the east were to
confederate with the Khazars and to be identified with them. The Celts of
Brittany (amongst whom first the Alans then the Normans settled) were to a
degree descended from Celtic peoples of Britain and after conquering
England the Normans would adopt the Celtic Arthurian legends as part of
their own heritage13. In 1066 the Normans conquered England. Their total
forces included many others who came over from France with them, and these
comprised maybe a third or more of their total forces. The "Normans"
eventually contributed about ten percent of England's total population14
and it has been estimated that approximately twenty percent of the English
population has a significant degree of Norman blood in them. In the course
of time Normans also settled in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.There was
also an element of Edomites amongst the Normans. In ancient times Essus
(Esuvius i.e. Esau)15 had been considered an ancestor and worshipped by
some of the Celtic people within whose area the Normans settled and with
whom they intermixed. Most of these Celtic peoples were however probably of
Israelite origin.
The English upper classes contain a significant number of
Norman descendants. After about 1700 a large proportion (it is claimed) of
the higher ranked aristocratic English families intermarried with Jews16 at
some stage or other. [-This group has however proved itself of being on
occasion as anti-Semitic as anybody else.Apart from revealing a
non-fraternal instinct anti-Semitism is a disqualifying factor for other
reasons. It is usually concomitant with selfishness and non-Israelite
characteristics]. The modern Jews descend from the two tribes of Benjamin
and Judah, on the whole.Amongst the Normans were many descendants of
Benjamin and possibly also of Judah.We thus see a tendency for Benjamin
to reconnect to Judah. The basic Norman stock may have come from Benjamin
in addition to which the area of Normandy in France settled by them had
previously belonged to the NAMNETES who derived their name from Naaman, a
son of Benjamin. Since the "-etes" Namnetes is a suffix the names are in
effect identical. There were also Benjaminites in part of Norway wherein
part of the Normans had sojourned though most of Israelite Norway is
descended from Naphtali and other tribes.
Benjamin, Judah, Levi, Simeon, and small numbers of most of
the other tribes had remained together as Jews in the southern realm of
Judah when the Assyrians exiled most of the Israelites in the Northern
Kingdom of Israel. At the same time large numbers from the southern kingdom
were also to be taken into exile by the Assyrians and in other ways were to
be counted as part of the Lost Tribes of Israel. Amongst this last group
was part of the Tribe of Benjamin which apparently became the basic stock
of the so-called Norman nation. Jewish Medieval tradition said that the
Tribe of Benjamin (or a small part of it) had gone into exile to the Balkan
region of Rumania17, or to the land of Germany18, or to both. From the
Balkans (Rumania) emerged the Dacae who were considered a branch of
Sacae-Scythians. The Dacae were together with the Getae. From the Dacae
came the Normans who were believed to have reached Scandinavia via Germany.
The Dacae according to Lempriere were a western branch of the Sakae19. The
wolf was a symbol of the Dacae20 amongst the Getae. . The Norman symbol is
also said to have been a wolf. The Conquest of England by the Norman
William the Conqueror was celebrated on the Bayeux Tapestry whose execution
was overseen by his wife, Queen Matilda. It depicts a wolf on the standard
of William. Godfroi de Bouillon (ca.1099), Crusader King of Jerusalem,
claimed descent from Benjamin (Genesis 49:27)21. Old accounts say that the
Franks had come from the former Saxon area of Maurunganie in North Germany
below the place of the Normans. The first ruling house of the Franks was
the Merovingians and recently it has been claimed that the Merovingian
Franks were descended from Benjamin©
[edit] Children of William and Matilda
Some doubt exists over how many daughters there were. This list includes some entries which are obscure.
Robert Curthose (c. 1054–1134), Duke of Normandy, married Sybil of Conversano, daughter of Geoffrey of Conversano
Adeliza (or Alice) (c. 1055–?), reportedly betrothed to Harold II of England (Her existence is in some doubt.)
Cecilia (or Cecily) (c. 1056–1126), Abbess of Holy Trinity, Caen
William Rufus (1056–1100), King of England
Richard (1057-c. 1081), killed by a stag in New Forest
Adela (c. 1062–1138), married Stephen, Count of Blois
Gundred (c. 1063–1085), married William de Warenne (c. 1055–1088) Some scholars question whether Gundred was an illegitimate child of William I or merely a step-daughter, foundling or adopted daughter. See discussion pages for further information.
Agatha (c. 1064–c. 1080), betrothed to (1) Harold of Wessex, (2) Alfonso VI of Castile
Constance (c. 1066–1090), married Alan IV Fergent, Duke of Brittany; poisoned, possibly by her own servants
Matilda (very obscure, her existence is in some doubt)
Henry Beauclerc (1068–1135), King of England, married (1) Edith of Scotland, daughter of Malcolm III, King of Scotland, (2) Adeliza of Louvain
GUILLAUME de Normandie, illegitimate son of ROBERT II Duke of Normandy & his mistress Arlette --- (Château de Falaise, Normandy [1027/28]-Rouen, Prioré de Saint-Gervais 9 Sep 1087, bur Caen, Abbé de Saint-Etienne).His birth date is estimated from William of Malmesbury, according to whom Guillaume was born of a concubine and was seven years old when his father left for Jerusalem[1], and Orderic Vitalis, who states that he was eight years old at the time[2].According to Orderic Vitalis, Alain III Duke of Brittany was appointed his guardian during his father's absence in 1035[3].He succeeded his father in 1035 as GUILLAUME II Duke of Normandy.He helped Henri I King of France defeat Geoffroy II "Martel" Comte d'Anjou at Mouliherne in [1045/55][4].It appears that Edward "the Confessor" King of England acknowledged Guillaume as successor to the English throne on several occasions, maybe for the first time during his visit to England in 1051 which is recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle[5].Comte de Maine in 1063, after he conquered the county.In [1064/65], Duke Guillaume interceded with Guy de Ponthieu Comte d'Abbeville to secure the release of Harold Godwinsson from captivity in Normandy, in return for Harold's acknowledgement of Guillaume as successor to the English crown (according to the portrayal of the event in the Bayeux tapestry).Harold Godwinsson's visit to Normandy, and swearing allegiance to Duke William, is recorded by William of Jumièges[6].According to Eadmer of Canterbury, the reason for his visit was to negotiate the release of his brother Wulfnoth and nephew Haakon, both of whom had been hostages in Normandy since 1051.On his deathbed, King Edward "the Confessor" bequeathed the kingdom of England to Harold Godwinsson.Duke Guillaume branded Harold a perjurer and appealed to Pope Alexander II for support.After receiving a papal banner in response to his request, William gathered a sizable army during summer 1066 in preparation for invasion.After some delay due to unfavourable weather conditions, the army set sail for England from Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme 28 Sep 1066[7].William defeated and killed King Harold at Hastings 14 Oct 1066[8], marched north to Canterbury, then west to Winchester where he captured the royal treasury.He proceeded to London where he was crowned 25 Dec 1066 as WILLIAM I "the Conqueror" King of England at Westminster Abbey, possibly by Ealdred Archbishop of York who may have officiated because of doubts concerning the validity of the appointment of Stigand as Archbishop of Canterbury.The latter had received his pallium in 1058 from Pope Benedict X, later regarded as anti-Pope, an appointment which had not been regularised by Pope Alexander II.The later Chronicle of John of Worcester maintains that Ealdred performed the ceremony[9], whereas Norman sources refer to Stigand.He was crowned again at Winchester 1070 with a Papal crown.After taking several years to subdue the whole country, he imposed the Norman feudal structure and rule everywhere with methodical and harsh persistence.The minute description of the country contained in the Domesday Book, completed in 1086, enabled King William to create an effective tax baseHe died from wounds received at the siege of Mantes, having been injured internally after being thrown against the pommel of his saddle[10], leaving Normandy to his eldest son Robert and England to his second surviving son William.Guillaume de Jumièges records the death of King William at Rouen on 9 Sep and his burial at Saint-Etienne, Caen[11].Florence of Worcester records the death "Id Sep V" of King William and his burial "Cadomi in ecclesia S Stephani Protomartyris"[12].
m (Eu, Cathedral of Notre Dame [1050/52]) MATHILDE de Flandre, daughter of BAUDOUIN V "le Pieux/Insulanus" Count of Flanders & his wife Adela de France ([1032]-Caen 2 Nov 1083, bur Caen, Abbey of Holy Trinity).The Genealogica Comitum Flandriæ Bertiniana names (in order) "Balduinum Haanoniensem, et Robdbertum cognomento postea Iherosolimitanum, et Matilde uxorem Guillelmi regis Anglorum" as the children of "Balduinum Insulanum [et] Adelam"[13].Her parentage is also stated by Orderic Vitalis[14].Florence of Worcester records that "comitissa Mahtilda de Normannia" came to England 23 Mar [1068] and was crowned "die Pentecostes [11 May]" by Aldred Archbishop of York[15].Orderic Vitalis also records that she was crowned Queen of England 11 May 1068[16], presumably at Westminster Abbey or Winchester Cathedral although this appears to be unrecorded.Queen Matilda acted as regent in Normandy during her husband's absences in England.The necrology of the abbey of Saint-Denis records the death "IV Non Nov" of "Matildis Anglorum regina"[17].Guillaume de Jumièges records the burial of Queen Mathilde on 3 Nov 1081 at Holy Trinity, Caen[18].Florence of Worcester records the death "IV Non Nov" in [1083] of "regina Mahtilda" in Normandy and her burial at Caen[19].
King William I & his wife had ten children:
1.ROBERT de Normandie (Normandy [1052/54]-Cardiff Castle [3] Feb 1134, bur Gloucester Cathedral[20]).William of Malmesbury names Robert as eldest son of King William I[21]."Roberti filii sui Normannorum comitis, Richardi filii sui…" subscribed the charter dated Apr 1067 under which "Willelmus…dux Normannorum…Anglorum rex" confirmed rights to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire[22].Orderic Vitalis records that, after unsuccessfully aspiring to govern Normandy and Maine during the lifetime of his father, Robert rebelled in 1079 and went into exile in Flanders[23].William of Malmesbury and Orderic Vitalis both state that he was assisted in his rebellion by Philippe I King of France and that he wounded his father in battle at Gerberoy[24].He succeeded his father in 1087 as ROBERT “Curthose” Duke of Normandy, his nickname due, according to William of Malmesbury and Orderic Vitalis, to his short stature which he presumably inherited from his mother who was also reputed to have been very short[25].He joined the contingent of Robert II Count of Flanders on the First Crusade in Sep 1096, together with Etienne Comte de Blois, after pledging the duchy of Normandy to his brother King William for 10,000 marks of silver in order to fund the expedition[26].Following the capture of Jerusalem, Robert left Palestine to return to Europe in Sep 1099[27].On returning to Normandy in Autumn 1100, he recovered his duchy without opposition[28].He landed at Portsmouth in 1102 aiming to displace his brother King Henry I as king of England, but was persuaded to return to Normandy on payment of 3,000 marks[29].His brother King Henry invaded Normandy and defeated Robert at the battle of Tinchebrai[30], declaring himself duke of Normandy 28 Sep 1106.King Henry took Robert in captivity back to England, where Robert remained in prison for the rest of his life.Robert of Torigny records the death in 1134 of "Robertus dux Normannorum filius Willermi regis…primogenitus" and his burial at Gloucester[31].The Continuator of Florence of Worcester records the death at Cardiff in [1134] of "Rotbertus frater regis Heinrici quondam comes Normanniæ" and his burial in Gloucester[32].
-DUKES of NORMANDY.
2.RICHARD de Normandie (Normandy [1054 or 1056]-1075 or 1081, bur Winchester Cathedral).William of Malmesbury records that he was the second son of King William I[33]."The next-born after Robert" according to Orderic Vitalis[34] who, from the context of this passage appears to be taking into account daughters as well as sons in his list of the king's children although, critically for deciding the birth order of the older children, he omits Cecilia in this section."Roberti filii sui Normannorum comitis, Richardi filii sui…" subscribed the charter dated Apr 1067 under which "Willelmus…dux Normannorum…Anglorum rex" confirmed rights to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire[35].Duc de Bernay, in Normandy.According to William of Malmesbury, he "contracted a disorder from a stream of foul air while hunting deer in the New Forest"[36].Florence of Worcester records that "Willelmi iunioris germanus Ricardus" was killed in the New Forest long before, when recording the death of his brother King William II[37].Orderic Vitalis recounts that "when a youth who had not yet received the belt of knighthood, had gone hunting in the New Forest and whilst he was galloping in pursuit of a wild beast he had been badly crushed between a strong hazel branch and the pommel of his saddle, and mortally injured" dying soon after[38].Guillaume de Jumièges records a similar, but less specific, story, saying that Richard was hunting, knocked himself against a tree, fell ill and died from his injury[39].
3.CECILIA de Normandie (Normandy [1054/55]-Caen 3 Jul 1126, bur Caen, Abbey of Holy Trinity).She is named first in his list of King William's daughters by William of Malmesbury and by Matthew of Paris[40].Orderic Vitalis, in his list of the king's children which appears to place both the sons and daughters together in birth order[41], unfortunately omits Cecilia, rendering it particularly difficult to decide if she was older or younger than her brother Richard.Guillaume de Jumièges names Cecile as eldest daughter, stating that she was a nun at the convent of Holy Trinity at Caen[42].Her parents offered her as an oblate to the nunnery of the Holy Trinity, Caen (founded by her mother) 18 Jun 1066[43], probably in part to obtain divine blessing for his project to invade England.She became a nun there in 1075[44], her tutor being Arnoul de Choques who later became Chancellor to her brother Robert "Curthose" Duke of Normandy, and subsequently Patriarch of Jerusalem[45].She succeeded Mathilde as Abbess of Holy Trinity at Caen in 1113[46].
4.ADELAIDE [Adelisa] de Normandie ([1055]-7 Dec, 1066 or after).Orderic Vitalis records the betrothal of Adelaide and Harold Godwinson, listing her after Agatha and before Constance in his description of the careers of the daughters of King William[47].The sources are contradictory concerning the name of the daughter betrothed to Harold Godwinson, as well as the timing of her death.The only near certainty is that it would presumably have been the oldest available daughter who was betrothed to Harold.Matthew of Paris does not name her but lists her fourth among the daughters of King William, while distinguishing her from the fifth daughter betrothed to "Aldefonso Galiciæ regi"[48].Guillaume de Jumièges records that Duke Guillaume betrothed his daughter Adelise to Harold, in a later passage (in which he does not repeat her name) stating that she was the third daughter and that she died a virgin although she was of an age to marry[49].Chibnall specifies[50] that this reference is contained in the interpolations written by Orderic Vitalis, the latter chronicler therefore contradicting his statement in his own work that Agatha was the name of the daughter who was betrothed to King Harold.Orderic Vitalis says that Adelaide "a most fair maiden vowed herself to God when she reached marriageable age and made a pious end under the protection of Roger of Beaumont"[51].The daughter betrothed to Harold was alive in early 1066, according to Eadmer of Canterbury[52] who says that Duke Guillaume requested King Harold, soon after his accession, to keep his promise to marry his daughter.This is contradicted by William of Malmesbury[53], who says that her death before that of Edward "the Confessor" was taken by King Harold II as marking absolution from his oath to Duke Guillaume.She died as a nun at Préaux[54].The necrology of Chartres cathedral records the death "VII Id Dec" of "Adeliza filia regis Anglorum", stating that her father made a donation for her soul[55].The necrology of Saint-Nicaise de Meulan records the death of "Adelina filia regis Anglorum", undated but listed among deaths at the end of the calendar year[56].Betrothed ([1064/65]) to HAROLD Godwinson Earl of Wessex, son of GODWIN Earl of Wessex & his wife Gytha of Denmark ([1022/25]-killed in battle Hastings 14 Oct 1066, bur [Waltham Abbey]), who succeeded in 1066 as HAROLD II King of England.
5.GUILLAUME de Normandie ([1056/60]-killed in the New Forest 2 Aug 1100, bur Winchester Cathedral[57]).William of Malmesbury records that he was the third son of King William I[58].He left his father's deathbed in Normandy in Sep 1087 to rush to England to claim the throne, succeeding as WILLIAM II “Rufus” King of England, crowned at Westminster Abbey 26 Sep 1087.Florence of Worcester records that King William was crowned "VI Kal Oct" of King William at Westminster Abbey[59].His reign was characterised by bitter rivalry with his brother Robert in Normandy, even harsher imposition of Norman rule in England than by his father, and growing resentment of his ways among the nobility.Florence of Worcester records the death "IV Non Aug" of King William in the New Forest, killed by an arrow shot by "quodam Franco Waltero cognomento Tirello" [châtelain de Poix et de Pontoise], and his burial "Wintoniam in Veteri Monasterio in ecclesia S Petri"[60].Orderic Vitalis records that he was killed while hunting, maybe murdered, by an arrow shot by Walter Tirel[61].According to Orderic Vitalis, he "never had a lawful wife but gave himself up insatiably to obscene fornications and repeated adulteries"[62].The necrology of Saint-Nicaise de Meulan records the death "II Non Aug" of "Guillelmus rex Anglorum filius Guillelmi regis"[63].
6.CONSTANCE de Normandie (Normandy [1057/1061]-13 Aug 1090, bur Church of St Melans near Rhedon).Listed by Orderic Vitalis after Adelaide and before Adela in his description of the careers of the daughters of King William[64].Named first in his list of the daughters of King William I by Matthew of Paris[65].Guillaume de Jumièges names Constance as second daughter, naming her husband "Alain Fergant comte de la petite Bretagne et fils d'Hoel, qui avait succédé à Conan" and specifying that she died childless[66].William of Malmesbury lists her as second daughter after Cecilia, adding that "she excited the inhabitants [of Brittany] by the severity of her justice to administer a poisonous potion to her"[67].Orderic Vitalis, on the other hand, says that she "did everything in her power to further the welfare of her subjects" and "was deeply grieved when she died"[68].m (Bayeux[69] 1086) as his first wife, ALAIN IV “Fergant” Duke of Brittany, son of HOËL V Comte de Cornouaille, de Léon et de Nantes & his wife Havise heiress of Brittany (-13 Oct 1119).
7.AGATHE de Normandie (-before 1074, bur Bayeux Cathedral).Listed by Orderic Vitalis after Richard and before Adelaide in his description of the careers of the children of King William[70].According to William of Malmesbury, an unnamed daughter of King William was "affianced by messengers" to King Alfonso[71].Orderic Vitalis names her Agatha, identifying her as the daughter who had been betrothed to Harold Godwinson (see above), and says that she was betrothed to "Amfursio regi Galliciæ"[72].Matthew of Paris places her as the fifth daughter (unnamed) betrothed to "Aldefonso Galiciæ regi", but different from the daughter betrothed to Harold[73].Orderic says that she died en route to Spain, her body being brought back to Bayeux for burial[74].The betrothal to Alfonso must have been a short-lived arrangement as he married his first wife in 1069[75].Betrothed (by proxy Caen, Abbey of Holy Trinity [before 1069]) to ALFONSO VI King of Galicia and Leon, son of FERNANDO I King of Castile & his wife Infanta doña Sancha de Léon (Compostela [1037]-Toledo 30 Jun 1109, bur Sahagún, León, San Mancio chapel in the royal monastery of Santos Facundo y Primitivo).He succeeded in 1072 as ALFONSO VI King of Castile.[Betrothed ([after 1069]) to SIMON du Vexin, son of RAOUL III “le Grand” Comte de Valois & his first wife Aélis de Bar-sur-Aube (-[30 Sep/1 Oct] 1080 Rome, bur 1082 Rome St Peter).The Vita Simonis records a ficitional speech of William I King of England in which he offers his (unnamed) daughter's hand to Simon, specifying that she had previously been betrothed to "regis Hispaniarum Anfursi et Roberti principis Apuliæ"[76].The supposed betrothal to Robert of Apulia (which would have to refer to Robert "Guiscard" Duke of Apulia) is unrecorded in the numerous other sources dealing with his life and is probably pure fantasy.This does not instil confidence with respect to the historical accuracy of the whole passage, but if it is correct the daughter in question would presumably have been Agatha who was probably the daughter of King William betrothed to "Amfursio regi Galliciæ" (see above).Count Simon resigned his county in 1077, became a monk and went on pilgrimage to Rome where he died[77].]
8.MATHILDE de Normandie (-26 Apr before 1112).The necrology of Saint-Nicaise de Meulan records the death "VI Kal Mai" of "Mathildis filia Willelmi regis Anglorum"[78].She is not named as a daughter of King William by either William of Malmesbury or Orderic Vitalis.There is no basis for assessing her order of birth among the other known daughters of the king.According to Weir[79], she died unmarried before 1112, but the basis for this date is not known.
9.ADELA de Normandie (Normandy [1066/67]-Marigney-sur-Loire 8 Mar 1138, bur Abbey of Holy Trinity, Caen).She
More About King William I of England:
Burial: Unknown, Saint-Étienne de Caen, France.
Children of King William I of England and Princess Mathilde of Flanders are:
- +Adela Alice Princess of England, b. Abt. 1062, d. 1138.
- +King Henry I of England, b. September 1068, Selby, Yorkshire, England/Selby, England, d. December 01, 1135, Gisors, Rouen.