Normandy

• William's claim to the English Throne

  • William believed he was the rightful heir because he was supposedly promised it in 1051
  • This may have been true due to Edward's exile in the duchy of Normandy and attempting to counter the power of the Godwin's by building a Norman faction in his court
  • William supposedly gained Harold's support in 1064 through an oath
• William's inner circle

  • William was a warrior in his prime in 1066
  • He had an aggressive circle of influence: two half brothers (Robert of Mortain + Bishop Odo); childhood friends (William FitzOsbern + Roger of Montgomery)
  • These men were top of an aggressive war-orientated society keenly aware through oral tradition of their Viking heritage
• Military Position of Normandy

  • The Normans were some of the most skilled cavalry-men in Europe
  • William could use his fearsome personality to draw military service from his vassals
  • William could also wage war due to Normandy's prosperity and well-administered dukedom, with taxation collected by vicomtes, funding mercenaries
• William's domestic success

  • In 1054 and 1057, William defeated a 2 pronged attack by Geoffrey Martel (Count of Anjou) and King Henry I
  • 1063 = William secured Maine
  • 1064 = Brittany was subdued
  • William married Matilda of Flanders
• Papal Support For William's claim

  • William wanted to present his invasion as a crusade to gain more support
  • William was pious, with his own foundation at Caen, led by Lanfranc, whilst also allowing reforming councils
  • Early 1066, William sent Gilbert, Archbishop of Lisieux to get papal support from Alexander II
  • They focused on Harold's broken oath and the poor state of the church under Archbishop Stigand of Canterbury. With papal support, William's claim was strengthened
• Conflict in Maine 1068-73

  • Maine revolted in 1069, falling into the control of Geoffrey of Mayenne
  • William was unable to respond, while his wife lacked the forces or military expertise to counter
  • Over the next few years, Geoffrey maintained control, although with some issue eg - losing control of the captial city Le Mans
  • Maine worsened in 1072 when Maine was seized by Fulk le Rechin, Count of Anjou
  • Despite the looming threat for Normandy, William invaded Scotland that year
• William's response in Maine

  • By 1073, William felt confident enough to leave England and act
  • Entering Maine, he deployed surprise, speed and violence
  • He had successfully attacked the strongholds of Fresnay, Beaumont and Sille
  • By March 30th, William had successfully reclaimed Maine without a protracted siege
• William's Defeat at Dol

  • Philip I emerged as an enemy, marrying Robert of Flander's half sister Bertha
  • He also offered Edgar the Atheling the castle of Montreuil-sur-Mer a base for harassing Normandy - William acted swiftly and readmitted him into his court
  • Ralph de Gael had fled from England and established himself in the castle of Dol in Brittany, reinforced by Anjou troops
  • William advanced into Dol in Sept 1076, laying siege to Dol, however Philip's arrival in November forced him to retreat
• Repercussions of the defeat at Dol

  • He lost 'both men and horses and many of his treasures'
  • Failed to remove Ralph de Gael
  • His air of invincibility was removed
  • William's opponents were emboldened - In early 1077, Fulk le Rechin attacked John of La Feche, 1 of William's key supporters in Maine
  • 1077, Philip secured the buffer zone of the Vexin, after Simon of Crepi retired from his monastery, closing the distance of the Kingship of England and France
• William's relationship with Robert Curthose

  • Robert had been a loyal son, rewarded by becoming the Count of Maine and heir to Normandy
  • However, he was subject to taunts and humiliations in William's court
  • Tensions increased when in late 1077, early 1078, a brawl broke out between Robert and his brothers
  • The next day he revolted with his followers and tried to seize Rouen castle before fleeing
• What consequence did Robert's revolt in 1078 have on the wider Norman elite?

  • Robert's entourage contained sons of powerful nobles (William of Breteuil = son of William FitzOsbern & Robert of Belleme = son of Roger of Montgomery)
  • The rebellion became more menacing when Robert toured the court of Flanders and France, with Philip I supplying him with knights and castle at Gerberoy
• Impact of the Battle of Gerberoy

  • Gerberoy was described as William's greatest humiliation, whilst also finding out his wife's involvement in supplying Robert
  • This defeat allowed King Malcom of Scotland to ravage over the border from August to September 1079
  • In 1080, with pressure from the Pope to reconcile, William welcomed Robert back to Normandy and reconfirmed his inheritance
  • Robert acted as a dutiful son by punishing Scotland and creating Newcastle
• What problems did William face in the latter years of his life

  • His wife had died
  • King Cnut IV of Denmark was threatening invasion
  • Malcom was being hostile over the border
  • Philip I, Fulk le Rechin and Robert of Flanders were ready to exploit
  • Bishop of Odo was trying to stir rebellion in prison
  • Robert had fled once again in 1084
• How did William respond to threats by Normandy

  • In summer 1087, the French King's garrison at Mantes began raiding into Normandy
  • William assembled his army, devastating the Vexin and placing Mantes in the torch
  • However, William retreated to Rouen, and then Saint Gervase, clear to William Rufus and Henry that he was dying
• What did William do on his deathbed

  • He made lavish bequests to the church
  • He ordered the release of all his prisoners (Earl Morcar, Wulfnoth, Bishop Odo)
  • He formally committed Normandy to Robert
  • William bequeathed England to God, hoping he would give it to William Rufus
  • William gave Henry £5000
• What were Robert Curthose's first actions as Duke

  • He went about buying followers
  • He was running low, but then granted £3000 from Henry in return for land in Coutances and the Avranchin
• What were William Rufus's first actions as King of England

  • Crowned on September 26th 1087
  • He took full control of the royal treasury at Winchester
  • He distributed £8600 to the church
  • Refused to release Wulfnoth and Morcar
• The position of the Anglo-Norman Earls

  • William's death had proposed a conflict of loyalty
  • The magnates found it impossible to serve 2 lords, with any wrong decisions meaning lost estates
  • They agreed with Bishop Odo that the only solution was the deposition of William Rufus and reunite England and Normandy under Robert Curthose
  • After Christmas 1087, Robert was informed and pledged support
• What were the problems in the 1088 Rebellion

  • Bishop Odo established himself in Rochester castle, allowing Canterbury and London to be threatened while receiving reinforcements
  • Gilbert FitzRichard took Tonbridge castle and Robert of Mortain's castle at Pevensey allowed a secure corridor to Normandy
  • In the West Bath and Berkely were burnt down and raids into Wiltshire
  • Of the 10 great baronial lords in the Domesday book, 6 were on the rebels side
• How did William Rufus deal with the Rebellion

  • While leaving smaller matters to his local commanders, he marched to Kent in April and by June, had secured Tonbridge and Pevensey castle
  • He destroyed a relief force sent by Robert
  • His royal army then secured Rochester, and spared their lives, despite them being traitors
  • In July, the rebels were allowed to leave
• What were the terms in the Treaty of Rouen 1091

  • William pledged to support Robert against Maine
  • Robert would be aided financially by William
  • William also gained territory in Cherbourg and Eu
  • Both brothers agreed to be each others heirs in case of death of one
• How was Henry affected by the Treaty of Rouen 1091

  • Henry lost Cherbourg, while being shun out of the family inheritance
  • He had to retreat to the island monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel
  • Henry was then forced to surrender, finding refuge in Domfront Castle
• How did the relationship between William and Robert deteriorate

  • At the end of 1093, William showed no intention of aiding Robert against Maine
  • Following a meeting in March 1094 - William then went on the offensive, only stopped by the intervention of Philip I
  • William returned to England in December but funded Henry in Domfront to continue raiding Normandy