The Death of Herbert II of Maine and the Succession Crisis (1062)

In 1062, Herbert II of Maine, the eldest son of Hugh IV, died without an heir, leading to a major succession crisis in the County of Maine. Prior to his death, Herbert had declared Duke William II of Normandy as his heir, setting the stage for Norman intervention in the region.

Herbert II’s Flight to Normandy and the Angevin-Norman Rivalry

• In 1056, Geoffrey II Martel, Count of Anjou, invaded Le Mans, prompting Herbert to flee to the Norman court.
• Some historians argue that Herbert may have initially fallen under Angevin control, before later seeking refuge with Duke William of Normandy.
• His asylum in Normandy strengthened Norman influence in Maine, as Herbert increasingly aligned himself with William.

Herbert’s Death and the Maine Succession Crisis (1062)

• Herbert II died childless in 1062, having previously designated Duke William of Normandy as his successor.
• This move provoked immediate opposition, as local factions in Maine resisted Norman rule, leading to a succession crisis.

The Struggle for Control of Maine

• The Angevins and local nobility of Maine opposed William’s claim, fearing increased Norman dominance in the region.
• A pro-Angevin faction attempted to resist William’s control, supported by Baldwin V of Flanders and Geoffrey III of Anjou ("le Barbu").
• However, William, already one of the most powerful rulers in northern France, was determined to enforce his claim over Maine.

Consequences and Legacy

• William’s assertion of his claim to Maine marked a significant expansion of Norman influence, bringing him into closer conflict with Anjou and its allies.
• The struggle over Maine would continue for several years, culminating in William’s full conquest of the county in 1064, further strengthening his position before his invasion of England in 1066.
• Maine’s strategic location between Normandy and Anjou made it a contested borderland, influencing Norman-Angevin relations for decades to come.

The death of Herbert II in 1062 and his decision to name William of Normandy as heir triggered a succession crisis that led to Norman intervention in Maine, reinforcing William’s growing power in France just years before he set his sights on the English throne.