LINKS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert,_Count_of_Mortain http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Mortain http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/NORMAN%20NOBILITY.htm#HerluinConteville

ROBERT de Mortain . Guillaume de Jumièges names "Eudes et Robert" as the two sons of Herluin and Herlève[1893]. His parentage is recorded by Orderic Vitalis, who specifies that he was the half-brother of William I King of England [1894]. Named by Florence of Worcester as the brother of King William I "but only on his mother's side"[1895]. Guillaume de Jumièges records that his half-brother Guillaume II Duke of Normandy installed Robert as Comte de Mortain after expelling "Guillaume Guerlenc"[1896]. He was installed as Comte de Mortain in 1063 by his half-brother Guillaume II Duke of Normandy, after he dispossessed Guillaume Werlenc[1897]. King William I granted him nearly all the land of Cornwall as a reward for his participation at the battle of Hastings in 1066, but he does not seem to have been created Earl of Cornwall, continuing to be referred to as "comes Moritoniensis"[1898]. "Robertus Moretonii comes frater Villelmi Anglorum regis et Normannorum principis" granted property to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire by charter dated 9 Jan 1083[1899]. He joined his brother Eudes in the 1088 rebellion against King William II but was pardoned[1900].

m firstly MATHILDE de Montgommery, daughter of ROGER Sire de Montgommery, Vicomte d'Hiémois [later Earl of Shrewsbury] & his first wife Mabel d'Alençon . She is named and her parentage given by Orderic Vitalis, who lists her second among her father's daughters by his first marriage and names her husband[1901]. "Robert count of Mortain" donated property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel for "his deceased wife Mathildis and his living wife Almodis" by charter dated to [1087/91][1902]. “Willielmus comes Moritonii” founded Montcute Priory, for the souls of “patris mei Roberti comitis et matris meæ Mathillidis comitissæ”, by undated charter[1903].

m secondly ALMODIS, daughter of ---. "Robert count of Mortain" donated property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel for "his deceased wife Mathildis and his living wife Almodis" with the consent of "Robert his son" by charter dated to [1087/91], which specifies that "William his other son has promised to grant it if Almodis should leave no heir"[1904]. Earl Robert & his first wife had five children:

a) ROBERT . "Robert count of Mortain" donated property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel for "his deceased wife Mathildis and his living wife Almodis" with the consent of "Robert his son" by charter dated to [1087/91], which specifies that "William his other son has promised to grant it if Almodis should leave no heir"[1905].

b) GUILLAUME de Mortain . Orderic Vitalis refers to him as nepos of Robert III Duke of Normandy[1906]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Guilelmi" as son of "Robertum comitem Moretonii"[1907]. Robert of Torigny names "unum filium Guillermum et tres filias" as the children of "Robertus comes Moritonii uterinus frater Willermi regis"[1908]. "Robert count of Mortain" donated property to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel for "his deceased wife Mathildis and his living wife Almodis" with the consent of "Robert his son…and William his other son" by charter dated to [1087/91][1909]. He succeeded his father in 1090 as Comte de Mortain, and in the latter's lands in Cornwall. He unsuccessfully claimed the earldom of Kent on the death of his uncle Eudes[1910]. “Willielmus comes Moritonii” founded Montcute Priory, for the souls of “patris mei Roberti comitis et matris meæ Mathillidis comitissæ”, by undated charter[1911]. "…Willelmi comitis de Moritun…" subscribed a charter dated 14 Sep 1101 under which Henry I King of England donated property to Bath St Peter[1912]. Florence of Worcester records that "Willelmus comes de Moreteon" rebelled against Henry I King of England, who confiscated all his English lands in [1104][1913]. Florence of Worcester also records that "comes Willelmus de Moretonio" fought with Robert Duke of Normandy against King Henry I at Tinchebrai in [1106], was captured, but later escaped and fled[1914]. Orderic Vitalis records that he was imprisoned for many years and all his honours forfeited[1915]. He became a Cluniac monk at Bermondsey in 1140. m ADILILDIS, daughter of ---. The primary source which confirms her marriage has not yet been identified.

c) AGNES de Mortain . Robert of Torigny names "unum filium Guillermum et tres filias" as the children of "Robertus comes Moritonii uterinus frater Willermi regis", specifying that one unnamed daughter married "Andreas de Vitreio"[1916]. A charter dated to [1110] records that "Andreas dominus Vitriaci castri et frater eius Philippus et uxor ipsius Andreæ…Agnes, cum filiis suis Roberto, Gervasio et Elia" confirmed the foundation of Sainte-Croix de Vitré[1917]. m ANDRE [I] Seigneur de Vitré, son of ROBERT [I] Seigneur de Vitré & his wife Berthe de Craon.

d) DENISE de Mortain . Robert of Torigny names "unum filium Guillermum et tres filias" as the children of "Robertus comes Moritonii uterinus frater Willermi regis", specifying that one unnamed daughter married "Guido de Laval"[1918]. A charter dated to [1085] records that "Guy II fils de Hamon" withdrew claims against Ronceray relating to property donated by his father by charter dated to [1085] which names "Denise son épouse" and is witnessed by "Hugues, frère de Guy II"[1919]. A charter dated to [1080/90] records that "Guidone de Valle" sold "boscum…Monduluet" to "domnus Rivallonus monachus" at Marmoutier, with the consent of "Hugo frater eius…et Dionisia uxor eius"[1920]. "Guido de Lavalle" donated the priory of Parné to the church of Saint-Nicholas d'Angers "pro salute sua et uxoris sue Dionisie" by charter dated [1080/90][1921]. A charter dated 1090 records that "Guido junior" succeeded "in paternum…honorem" on the death of "Haimonis senioris de Valle Guidonis" and that when, after some time, "supradicti domni Guidonis conjugem" died, he granted further rights to Marmoutier when she was buried "juxta patrem suum Haimonem"[1922]. m [as his second wife,] GUY [II] Sire de Laval, son of HAMON Sire de Laval & his wife Hersende --- .

e) EMMA de Mortain . Robert of Torigny names "unum filium Guillermum et tres filias" as the children of "Robertus comes Moritonii uterinus frater Willermi regis", specifying that one unnamed daughter married "comes Tolosanus frater Raimundi comitis Sancti Ægidii"[1923]. Her name is confirmed by the charter dated 1114 under which her daughter “Philippæ comitissæ…Emmæ filia” reached agreement with “Bernardus-Atonis filius Ermengardis”[1924]. m as his second wife, GUILLAUME IV Comte de Toulouse, son of PONS Comte de Toulouse & his second wife Almodis de la Marche .

Earl Robert & his second wife had one child:

f) ROBERT de Mortain . The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified.

Robert de Conteville dit Robert de Mortain[n 1] , fut comte de Mortain, et un officieux comte de Cornouailles à partir de 1068. Il devint le troisième sujet le plus riche d'Angleterre après la conquête normande de l'Angleterre[2].
Biographie

Famille Il est le fils cadet de Herluin , vicomte de Conteville, et d’Arlette de Falaise[3] . Sa mère, ancienne « frilla » du duc de Normandie Robert le Magnifique est la mère de Guillaume le Bâtard . Son frère aîné est Odon, évêque de Bayeux et comte de Kent.

Il est souvent considéré que Odon était l'aîné, mais on ne sait pas quand ils sont nés. J. R. Planché[4] a proposé la date de 1031 comme année de naissance de Robert, mais sans preuves. Il est possible que Robert ne soit pas né avant 1040[5].

Ascension Robert de Mortain doit son ascension au duc de Normandie, Guillaume le Conquérant, son demi-frère. Après les années de trouble de son adolescence, celui-ci se constitue un réseau d'hommes de confiance dans le duché[6].

Vers 1049-1050 d'après Orderic Vital[7], ou peu après 1055 d'après des chartes qui nous sont parvenues[8], voire aux alentours de 1060 et peut-être pas avant 1063[6], le comte de Mortain Guillaume Guerlenc tombe en défaveur et est exilé. Il est assez probable qu'il soit déposé à la fin des années 1050, après les batailles de Mortemer et Varaville [6]. Robert de Mortain apparaît pour la première fois au commande du comté dans une charte datée de 1063[1]. On ne sait pas si la raison de cet évincement était réellement fondée. Orderic Vital raconte qu'il était impliqué dans un complot contre le duc[9] et qu'il est banni et doit s'exiler. Le duc le remplace par son demi-frère.

Au milieu du XIe siècle, le comté de Mortain est une zone stratégique du duché puisque frontalier du duché de Bretagne, du comté du Maine et de la seigneurie de Bellême. Il est aussi proche des importants centres ecclésiastiques d'Avranches et de Coutances[6]. Bellême est un territoire de loyauté douteuse, quasi-indépendant, aux confins du Maine, du Blésois, et du domaine royal[10]. Le duc a déjà arrangé le mariage de Roger II de Montgommery, un de ses hommes de confiance, avec Mabile de Bellême l'héritière de la seigneurie, afin de reprendre le contrôle de ce territoire. Avec le mariage de Robert à Mathilde de Montgommery, leur fille, il s'assure définitivement la loyauté de Bellême[6].

Par sa position, le comté est traversé par de nombreuses routes commerciales[1]. Comme il produit peu de produits agricoles, Robert créé dix foires, ce qui permet son développement économique[1]. Il renforce sa position par la construction de plusieurs châteaux à Mortain, Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, Le Teilleul et Tinchebray, ces villes accueillent d'ailleurs des foires[1]. En 1082, il conquiert le château de Gorron dans le Maine, ce qui lui procure une position avancée idéale contre Foulque IV d'Anjou dit le Réchin[10].

Vers 1066, il hérite de son père les terres familiales dont la majeure partie se trouve autour de Conteville[1]. Il possède aussi plusieurs domaines dans le nord du Cotentin qui sont peut-être administrées depuis son château de La Haye-du-Puits[1]. Avant la conquête de l'Angleterre, il n'atteste que très peu de chartes ducales. L'une de ses rares activités connues lors de cette période est d'avoir été juge ducal dans une affaire concernant l'abbaye Saint-Magloire de Léhon, aux côtés de l'archevêque de Rouen et des évêques de Lisieux et d'Évreux[1].

Conquête de l'Angleterre Il participe au concile de Lillebonne[11] durant lequel les barons du duché sont consultés sur le projet d'invasion de l'Angleterre. Il y promet de contribuer pour 120 navires[12] à la flotte qui débarquera outre-manche. Il accompagne son demi-frère Guillaume dans sa conquête de l'Angleterre.

Il fournit un soutien militaire efficace à la bataille de Hastings et durant la soumission du royaume qui s'ensuit . Il y a peu de doute sur le fait qu'il est l'un des leaders d'une partie de l'armée sur le champ de bataille[6]. En 1069, il est chargé par le roi avec Robert d'Eu de surveiller les Danois dont la flotte mouille dans l'embouchure de l'Humber, pendant que celui-ci va réprimer la révolte initiée par Eadric le Sauvage dans l'ouest[13]. Quand les Danois sortent de leur lieu de retraite pour piller le voisinage, les deux hommes et leur armée leur tombent dessus à l'improviste, dans le nord du Lindsey, et les écrasent, les forçant à s'enfuir par la mer[6],[14].

Il est présent assez souvent en Angleterre durant les cinq premières années de Guillaume le Conquérant[1]. Ses activités nationales sont toutefois assez limitées. Il est par exemple juge à la cour royale dans trois procès, notamment ceux concernant les terres d'Ely[1]. Durant les années suivantes, il passe la majeure partie de son temps en Normandie[1]. Il est possible qui soit justicier du royaume en 1071[1].

En 1081, il est mentionné par une chronique contemporaine comme étant l'un des otages, avec son fils, donné pour garantir un accord entre le Conquérant et le comte Foulque IV d'Anjou[1].

Possessions anglaises Peu après, Robert reçoit d'importants domaines en Angleterre. Guillaume lui donne des terres réparties dans tout le royaume dont la plupart des terres de Cornouailles, et le rape de Pevensey dont il occupe le château depuis la bataille d'Hastings. Il est possible qu'il n'ait reçu une grande partie de ses terres en Cornouailles et dans le Yorkshire qu'après 1075[3]. Sa position dans le sud-ouest conduit à le considérer comme comte de Cornouailles, néanmoins, il n'y a pas de preuve qu'il ait reçu officiellement ce titre[15].

En 1086, à la compilation du Domesday Book, il a 797 manors répartis dans vingt comtés[n 3] qui rapportent 2100£ par an[1]. En Cornouailles, il détient aussi les châteaux de Launceston et Tremeton, qu'il a reçu après le retour de Brian de Penthièvre en Bretagne après 1072. Ses domaines forment cinq groupes régionaux distincts en Angleterre[1]. Il domine feudalement le sud-ouest où il a la majorité de ses terres : Cornouailles, Devon, Dorset, Somerset. Il administre ce territoire depuis les châteaux de Lauceston et Montacute . Il possède aussi le rape de Pevensey dans le Sussex, qui a une grande importance stratégique et économique. Dans les Home Counties, le roi lui a donné des domaines stratégiquement placés qui permettent de contrôler les routes d'accès à Londres, et qui sont administrés depuis Berckhamsted . Les deux derniers groupes territoriaux sont dans le Northamptonshire et le Yorkshire[6].

Relations avec la Bretagne Robert est actif dans le duché de Bretagne après 1091. D'après Les chroniques de Vitré, une œuvre peu fiable, un jour que Robert et ses hommes effectuent un raid sur le territoire de Fougères , de l'autre côté de la frontière normande, il est capturé par André de Vitré et ses hommes tués ou pendus[1]. Robert offre à son geôlier la main de sa fille aînée, mais pendant qu'il réfléchit à la proposition, le comte Guillaume IV de Toulouse l'obtient[1]. Robert propose alors au seigneur de Vitré la main d'Agnès, sa fille cadette, avec une dot de six seigneuries dans les Cornouailles , et celui-ci accepte[1]. Les deux barons se jurent alors mutuelle assistance et s'échangent vingt otages en garantie[1]. Agnès reçoit d'André tout ce qu'il possède dans la ville de Rennes et le douaire de sa grand-mère Ynoguen de Fougères[1]. Le mariage est corroboré par Robert de Torigni, et un André de Vitré tient bien la seigneurie de Trigg dans les Cornouilles au début du XIIe siècle[1]. Robert de Mortain a d'ailleurs inféodés une partie de terres en Angleterre et en Normandie à des Bretons de la région de Fougères, et a certainement d'importants intérêts dans cette région[1].

Fin de vie et portrait Il reste loyal à son demi-frère pendant tout son règne, au contraire de son frère Odon, évêque de Bayeux, qui est emprisonné à partir de 1082 pour s'être rebellé. Sur le lit de mort du roi en 1087, il obtient difficilement la libération de son frère. Il est probablement de ceux qui se sont faits avocats de Robert Courteheuse pour que celui-ci lui succède en Normandie.

Il accepte initialement Guillaume le Roux pour roi d'Angleterre, mais complote ensuite avec son frère pour installer son neveu Courteheuse sur le trône. Durant la rébellion de 1088, il tient son château de Pevensey pour les rebelles, et soutient un siège de six semaines par le roi en personne. Après sa soumission, il est pardonné comme la plupart des rebelles, et se retire en Normandie.

Robert est le personnage le plus effacé d'une famille de personnalités hautes en couleur, un « guerrier décent aux vertus banales[3] ». Guillaume de Malmesbury le décrit méchamment comme « lent et stupide[16] ». Pourtant il fait de Vital, qui deviendra plus tard le fondateur de l'ordre de Savigny, son chapelain, ce qui montre qu'il n'est pas étranger aux choses de l'esprit[6]. La description de Guillaume de Malmesbury ne cadre pas avec la confiance que Guillaume le Conquérant avait en lui, même si elle pourrait expliquer pourquoi il n'est pas particulièrement impliqué dans les affaires du duché et du royaume[1]. Il lui avait donné des domaines vastes et stratégiques, et, sur son lit de mort, lui avait confié la mission de faire distribuer son trésor à ses fils et à des maisons écclésiastiques[1]. La description est aussi contredite par sa gestion agressive de ses terres en Angleterre et en Normandie[1].

Il s'implique très peu dans la politique anglo-normande, et semble plus intéressé par ses domaines normands. Il passe d'ailleurs beaucoup de temps en Normandie et très peu en Angleterre, ce qui peut peut-être expliquer pourquoi en 1088 il donne sa préférence à Robert Courteheuse[6].

La tradition écrite de Grestain situe sa mort en 1090, mais Brian Golding affirme qu'il ne meurt pas avant 1095, peut-être un 9 décembre comme mentionné dans l'obituaire de l'église Saint-Évroult de Mortain[1]. Il est inhumé à l'Abbaye Notre-Dame de Grestain à Grestain dans l'Eure, Haute-Normandie. Cette abbaye avait été fondée par son père en 1050, et Robert en a été le principal bienfaiteur, la dotant richement avec des bénéfices en Angleterre[6]. À la mort de Mathilde vers 1083, il donne à l'abbaye les 32 hides de terres anglaises qu'elle avait reçues de son père, peut-être comme dot[1]. Il est aussi le bienfaiteur de nombreuses maisons ecclésiastiques tant en Normandie qu'en Angleterre. À Mortain, sa première femme et lui établissent un prieuré bénédictin dédié à la Vierge Marie comme une dépendance de l'abbaye de Marmoutier, et fondent l'église collégiale Saint-Évroult dans le château de Mortain[1].

Mariages et descendance Avant 1058, il épouse Mathilde de Montgommery , fille de Roger II de Montgommery, seigneur de Montgommery, et plus tard 1er comte de Shrewsbury, et de Mabile de Bellême. Elle est inhumée à Grestain. Ils ont pour descendance connue :

* Guillaume , comte de Mortain ; * Agnès, qui est promise d'abord à Guillaume de Grandmesnil, et épouse André, seigneur de Vitré en 1091[1] ; * Emma , épouse Guillaume IV , comte de Toulouse. Leur fille Philippa épouse Guillaume IX de Poitiers, duc d'Aquitaine ; * Denise , épouse Guy II, sire de Laval, en 1078.
En secondes noces, avant 1088, il épouse Almodis, très probablement liée aux comtes de la Marche, peut-être une fille du comte Pons de Toulouse[1]. Ils ont un fils prénommé Robert qui meurt jeune[1].

Il a aussi une fille nommée Sybil qui est abbesse de Notre-Dame de Saintes[1].

Robert, Count of Mortain was the half-brother of William I of England. Robert was the son of Herluin de Conteville and Herleva of Falaise and was full brother to Odo of Bayeux. The exact year of Robert's birth is unknown , although it is generally thought that Odo was the elder of the two, and that Robert was probably not more than a year or so younger than his sibling: there is considerable doubt about the year of Odo's birth.
His name first appears in or about the year 1049 when he was made Count of Mortain in the Cotentin, in place of one William Warlenc, who had been banished by Duke William on suspicion of treason. The suspicion is that this William Warlenc was a grandson of Duke Richard I and therefore a potential rival to William the Bastard.

Five years later Robert was to be found supporting William against the French King Henri I's invasion of Normandy, although he does not appear to have taken part in the famous victory of the battle of Mortemer. He was however present at the council of Lillebonne in 1066, held to discuss the Duke's planned conquest of England when Robert agreed to contribute 120 ships to the invasion fleet. Robert was thus one of the undoubted Companions of the Conqueror, who fought at William's side at the battle of Hastings where he commanded a company of knights from the Cotentin, although he seems to have played no heroic role at the battle.

Robert's contribution to the success of the invasion was however regarded as fairly significant by William who awarded him a large share of the consequent spoil. He was granted the rape of Pevensey in Sussex and a total of 549 manors scattered across the country; 54 in Sussex, 75 in Devon, 49 in Dorset, 29 in Buckinghamshire, 13 in Hertfordshire, 10 in Suffolk, 99 in Northamptonshire, 196 in Yorkshire, and 24 in other counties. However the greatest concentration of his landed wealth was in Cornwall although these Cornish estates were not granted to him until after 1072 when Brian of Brittany decided to return home. His position of authority in the south west has therefore led many to consider him as the Earl of Cornwall, although it appears uncertain whether he was formally created as such.

His one public act after the conquest took place in 1069, when together with his cousin and namesake Robert of Eu, he led an army against a force of Danes who had landed at the mouth of the Humber and laid siege to York. As the Norman forces approached the Danes decided to retreat to the Fens where they fancied they would be safe. The two Roberts however surprised the Danes whilst they were being entertained by the disaffected natives and ""pursued them with great slaughter to their very ships"".

After that there is little mention of Robert until he appears at the deathbed of William I in 1087 pleading for the release of his brother Odo who had been imprisoned for revolt earlier in 1082. It is said that William was reluctant to accede to the request, believing that Odo was an incorrigible rogue. As it happens William was right, for as soon as the Conqueror was dead, Odo was soon fomenting a revolt against the Conqueror's successor William Rufus, and promoting the claims of Rufus' brother and rival Robert Curthose. Odo persuaded his brother to join in the rebellion which proved a failure. But whilst Odo was exiled to Normandy by William Rufus, Robert of Mortain was excused punishment and pardoned, most probably because his extensive English estates meant that it was worthwhile for the king to gain his support.

Nothing is known of Robert's life afterwards; it seems that he died sometime between the accession of William Rufus and the year 1103, by which time his son William, Count of Mortain had most certainly succeeded him, most probably sometime around the year 1095.

Robert was married to Matilda, daughter of Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, and by her left a son, the aforementioned William of Mortain, and three daughters; Agnes who married André de Vitry, Denise, married in 1078 to Guy, 3rd Sire de La Val; and Emma of Mortain, the wife of William IV of Toulouse.

"He is described by William of Malmesbury as a man of a heavy, sluggish disposition, but no foul crimes are laid to his charge. He had evidently the courage of his race, and his conduct as a commander is unassociated with any act of cruelty. Scandal has not been busy with his name as a husband. No discords are known to have disturbed his domestic felicity." ------------------------------------- Robert, Count of Mortain "his character stands out in honourable distinction from those of his brothers, neither surrounded by the "guilty glory" of the King, nor blackened by the baseness of the Bishop." Robert was the son of Herluin de Conteville and Herleva of Falaise, he was full brother to the infamous Odo of Bayeux; he was also a half-brother to William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy and later king William I of England: Herleva was mother of both. The exact year of Robert's birth is unknown, although it is generally regarded that Odo was the elder of the two, and that Robert was probably not more than a year or so younger than his sibling. His name first appears in or about the year 1049 when he was made Count of Mortain in the Cotentin, in place of one William Warlenc, who had been banished by Duke William on suspicion of treason. The suspicion being that this William Warlenc was a grandson of Duke Richard I and therefore a potential rival to William the Bastard. Five years later Robert was to be found supporting William against the French King Henri I's invasion of Normandy, although he does not appear to have taken part in the famous victory of the battle of Mortemer. He was however present at the council of Lillebonne in 1066, held to discuss the Duke's planned conquest of England when Robert agreed to contribute 120 ships to the invasion fleet. Robert was thus one of the undoubted Companions of the Conqueror, who fought at William's side at the battle of Hastings where he commanded a company of knights from the Cotentin, although he seems to have played no heroic role at the battle. Robert's contribution to the success of the invasion was however regarded as fairly significant by William who awarded him a large share of the consequent spoil. He was granted the rape of Pevensey in Sussex and a total of 549 manors scattered across the country; 54 in Sussex, 75 in Devon, 49 in Dorset, 29 in Buckinghamshire, 13 in Hertfordshire, 10 in Suffolk, 99 in Northumberland, 196 in Yorkshire, and 24 in other counties. However the greatest concentration of his landed wealth was in Cornwall although these Cornish estates were not granted to him until after 1072 when Brian of Brittany decided to return home. His position of authority in the south west has therefore led many to consider him as the Earl of Cornwall, although it appears uncertain as to whether he was formally created as such. His one public act after the conquest took place in 1069, when together with his cousin and namesake Robert of Eu, he led an army against a force of Danes who had landed at the mouth of the Humber and laid siege to York. As the Norman forces approached the Danes decided to retreat to the Fens where they fancied they would be safe. The two Roberts however surprised the Danes whilst they were being entertained by the disaffected natives and ""pursued them with great slaughter to their very ships"". After that there is little mention of Robert until he appears at the deathbed of William I in 1087 pleading for the release of his brother Odo who had been imprisoned for revolt earlier in 1082. It is said that William was reluctant to accede to the request, believing that Odo was an incorrigible rogue. As it happens William was right, for as soon as the Conqueror was dead, Odo was soon fermenting a revolt against the Conqueror's successor William Rufus, and promoting the claims of Rufus' brother and rival Robert Curthose. Odo persuaded his brother to join in the rebellion which proved a failure. But whilst Odo was exiled to Normandy by William Rufus, Robert of Mortain was excused punishment and pardoned, most probably because his extensive English estates meant that it was worthwhile for the king to gain his support. Nothing is known of Robert's life afterwards; it seems that he died sometime between the accession of William Rufus and the year 1103, by which time his son William, Count of Mortain had most certainly succeeded him, most probably sometime around the year 1095. Robert was married to Matilda, daughter of Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, and by her left a son, the aforementioned William of Mortain, and three daughters; Agnes who married André de Vitry, Denise, married in 1078 to Guy, 3rd Sire de La Val; and Emma of Mortain, the wife of William IV of Toulouse. "He is described by William of Malmesbury as a man of a heavy, sluggish disposition, but no foul crimes are laid to his charge. He had evidently the courage of his race, and his conduct as a commander is unassociated with any act of cruelty. Scandal has not been busy with his name as a husband. No discords are known to have disturbed his domestic felicity."

Robert, Count of Mortain From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search

Robert, Count of Mortain "his character stands out in honourable distinction from those of his brothers, neither surrounded by the "guilty glory" of the King, nor blackened by the baseness of the Bishop."

Robert was the son of Herluin de Conteville and Herleva of Falaise, he was full brother to the infamous Odo of Bayeux; he was also a half-brother to William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy and later king William I of England: Herleva was mother of both. The exact year of Robert's birth is unknown, although it is generally regarded that Odo was the elder of the two, and that Robert was probably not more than a year or so younger than his sibling.

His name first appears in or about the year 1049 when he was made Count of Mortain in the Cotentin, in place of one William Warlenc, who had been banished by Duke William on suspicion of treason. The suspicion being that this William Warlenc was a grandson of Duke Richard I and therefore a potential rival to William the Bastard.

Five years later Robert was to be found supporting William against the French King Henri I's invasion of Normandy, although he does not appear to have taken part in the famous victory of the battle of Mortemer. He was however present at the council of Lillebonne in 1066, held to discuss the Duke's planned conquest of England when Robert agreed to contribute 120 ships to the invasion fleet. Robert was thus one of the undoubted Companions of the Conqueror, who fought at William's side at the battle of Hastings where he commanded a company of knights from the Cotentin, although he seems to have played no heroic role at the battle.

Robert's contribution to the success of the invasion was however regarded as fairly significant by William who awarded him a large share of the consequent spoil. He was granted the rape of Pevensey in Sussex and a total of 549 manors scattered across the country; 54 in Sussex, 75 in Devon, 49 in Dorset, 29 in Buckinghamshire, 13 in Hertfordshire, 10 in Suffolk, 99 in Northumberland, 196 in Yorkshire, and 24 in other counties. However the greatest concentration of his landed wealth was in Cornwall although these Cornish estates were not granted to him until after 1072 when Brian of Brittany decided to return home. His position of authority in the south west has therefore led many to consider him as the Earl of Cornwall, although it appears uncertain as to whether he was formally created as such.

His one public act after the conquest took place in 1069, when together with his cousin and namesake Robert of Eu, he led an army against a force of Danes who had landed at the mouth of the Humber and laid siege to York. As the Norman forces approached the Danes decided to retreat to the Fens where they fancied they would be safe. The two Roberts however surprised the Danes whilst they were being entertained by the disaffected natives and ""pursued them with great slaughter to their very ships"".

After that there is little mention of Robert until he appears at the deathbed of William I in 1087 pleading for the release of his brother Odo who had been imprisoned for revolt earlier in 1082. It is said that William was reluctant to accede to the request, believing that Odo was an incorrigible rogue. As it happens William was right, for as soon as the Conqueror was dead, Odo was soon fermenting a revolt against the Conqueror's successor William Rufus, and promoting the claims of Rufus' brother and rival Robert Curthose. Odo persuaded his brother to join in the rebellion which proved a failure. But whilst Odo was exiled to Normandy by William Rufus, Robert of Mortain was excused punishment and pardoned, most probably because his extensive English estates meant that it was worthwhile for the king to gain his support.

Nothing is known of Robert's life afterwards; it seems that he died sometime between the accession of William Rufus and the year 1103, by which time his son William, Count of Mortain had most certainly succeeded him, most probably sometime around the year 1095.

Robert was married to Matilda, daughter of Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, and by her left a son, the aforementioned William of Mortain, and three daughters; Agnes who married André de Vitry, Denise, married in 1078 to Guy, 3rd Sire de La Val; and Emma of Mortain, the wife of William IV of Toulouse.

"He is described by William of Malmesbury as a man of a heavy, sluggish disposition, but no foul crimes are laid to his charge. He had evidently the courage of his race, and his conduct as a commander is unassociated with any act of cruelty. Scandal has not been busy with his name as a husband. No discords are known to have disturbed his domestic felicity."