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Robert II, Archbishop of Rouen

Years: 989 - 1037

Robert II, Archbishop of Rouen (989–1037), and Count of Évreux.

He is a powerful and influential prelate; a family member and supporter of five dukes of Normandy.

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Alan III of Brittany and His Struggle …

Alan III of Brittany and His Struggle Against Norman Suzerainty (1008–1030s)

Alan III of Brittany, the son of Duke Geoffrey I and Hawise of Normandy, succeeded as Duke of Brittany in 1008. However, as he was still a minor, his mother acted as regent, while Richard II, Duke of Normandy—his maternal uncle—assumed guardianship over Brittany. This early connection with Normandy played a crucial role in shaping Alan’s later conflicts as he sought to assert Brittany’s independence.

Early Rule and Marriage Alliance (1008–1018)

While his mother, Hawise of Normandy, governed Brittany as regent, Alan was raised under the influence of the Norman ducal court.
In 1018, Alan married Bertha of Blois, daughter of Odo II, Count of Blois, and Ermengarde of Auvergne, solidifying an alliance with the House of Blois, a long-time rival of Normandy.
This marriage strengthened Brittany’s political position and provided Alan with an influential continental allyagainst Norman expansion.

Break from Norman Suzerainty (1026–1030s)

When Richard III of Normandy died in August 1026, his brother Robert I succeeded him. The transition sparked political unrest in Normandy.
Alan III, seeing an opportunity, attempted to break free from Norman overlordship, effectively declaring Brittany’s independence from Norman control.

Conflict Between Alan III and Robert I of Normandy (1030s)

The conflict escalated into a series of raids and counter-raids between Brittany and Normandy:
- Early 1030s: Robert I of Normandy launched an attack on Dol, an important Breton stronghold.
- In retaliation, Alan III raided Avranches, but his forces were repulsed, leading to continued border skirmishes between Brittany and Normandy.
The situation worsened as Robert prepared for a full-scale invasion, planning a land assault alongside a fleet attack on Brittany.

The Truce at Mont Saint-Michel (1033–1034)

As tensions mounted, Robert, Archbishop of Rouen—uncle to both Alan and Robert I—stepped in to mediatebetween his nephews.
A truce was negotiated at Mont Saint-Michel, a symbolically neutral site between Brittany and Normandy.
As part of the agreement:
- Alan III swore fealty to Robert I, acknowledging Norman suzerainty.
- In return, Normandy halted its invasion plans, stabilizing the region for the time being.

Legacy and Impact

Alan III’s attempt at independence from Norman overlordship ultimately failed, though he preserved Brittany’s territorial integrity.
The truce at Mont Saint-Michel ensured temporary peace, but Brittany remained under Norman influence for the remainder of Alan’s reign.
His alliance with Blois placed Brittany in a strategic position between France and Normandy, a factor that would continue to shape Breton politics in the 11th century.

Alan III’s rebellion and subsequent truce reflected the delicate balance of power in feudal Europe, where dukes and counts continually maneuvered between autonomy and vassalage, depending on the shifting fortunes of war and diplomacy.

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The Early Challenges of William of Normandy’s …

The Early Challenges of William of Normandy’s Rule (1035–1037)

Upon succeeding his father, Duke Robert I of Normandy, in 1035, William of Normandy faced significant challenges due to his illegitimacy, youth, and the fragile political climate of Normandy. At only seven or eight years old, William's rule was immediately contested, and his early years as duke were marked by instability and shifting alliances.

William’s Guardianship and Early Supporters

William’s illegitimacy—being the son of Herleva, a woman of non-noble birth—made his claim vulnerable to opposition from powerful Norman nobles.
His succession was secured by his great-uncle, Archbishop Robert of Rouen, a key ally who had been one of his father’s closest supporters.
King Henry I of France, following the Capetian tradition of preventing Norman instability, also recognized William’s rule.
Norman regents and advisors, including Osbern the Steward and Count Gilbert of Brionne, attempted to govern on William’s behalf, continuing the policies of his late father.

Continuing Robert I’s Foreign Policy: The English Princes (1036)

One of the first indications that William’s guardians aimed to continue Robert I’s policies was their support for the exiled English princes, Edward and Alfred, in 1036.
The attempt to return the Anglo-Saxon princes to England aligned with the Norman strategy of maintaining influence in England, reflecting Robert I’s prior support for the House of Wessex.
However, the failure of the English expedition and the killing of Alfred by Godwin of Wessex demonstrated Normandy’s weakened ability to intervene in English affairs during William’s minority.

Archbishop Robert’s Death and the Collapse of Order (1037)

Archbishop Robert of Rouen’s death in March 1037 removed William’s strongest and most experienced supporter.
Without Robert’s stabilizing influence, Normandy descended into chaos, as rival Norman barons began vying for power.
The period following Robert’s death saw a sharp increase in feudal conflicts, including:
- Castellan uprisings, where nobles fortified their private strongholds, undermining ducal authority.
- The murder or expulsion of William’s most loyal regents, leaving the young duke increasingly isolated and vulnerable.

The Onset of Norman Anarchy (1037–1040s)

The breakdown of centralized rule led to what some historians call "The Norman Anarchy", a period of warlordism, feudal rivalries, and assassinations.
William, still a child, was left with diminished direct authority, relying on a dwindling group of loyalists for survival.
The conflict between different factions of Norman nobility would dominate William’s early years, forcing him to fight for control over his own duchy in his adolescence and early adulthood.

Legacy of This Period

The loss of Archbishop Robert of Rouen in 1037 accelerated the disintegration of Normandy, leaving William to navigate an increasingly hostile political environment.
His survival depended on strategic alliances, military resilience, and sheer personal will, shaping the ruthless, calculated leader he would become.
The chaos of his early rule forged the battle-hardened and politically astute duke who would eventually conquer England in 1066.

William’s childhood as Duke of Normandy was not a period of peaceful succession but one of constant danger and political intrigue, requiring him to fight for his very survival long before he ever set foot on English soil.