Adela of Normandy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adela of Normandy
Countess of Blois
Tenure	1089 – 19 May 1102
Born	c. 1067 Normandy, France
Died	8 March 1137 (aged 69–70) Marcigny-sur-Loire, France
Spouse	Stephen II, Count of Blois
Issue	William, Count of Sully Odo of Blois Theobald II, Count of Champagne Adela Stephen, King of England Lucia-Mahaut, Countess of Chester Philip of Blois, Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne Agnes de Puiset Alix of Joigni Henry, Bishop of Winchester Eleanor, Countess of Vermandois
House	Normandy
Father	William the Conqueror
Mother	Matilda of Flanders

Adela of Normandy (around 1067 – March 8, 1137) was a very important woman in medieval Europe. She was the daughter of William the Conqueror, who became King of England. Adela was also known as Adela of Blois or Adela of England. Some people even called her Saint Adela in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adela married Stephen II, Count of Blois. This marriage helped her husband gain more social standing and respect. She brought with her not only her royal family connections but also a lot of money and goods. Adela was a powerful leader. She acted as regent (a ruler in place of the official one) for Blois when her husband was away. She also ruled when her son was too young. Adela was the mother of Stephen, King of England and Henry, who became a powerful bishop.

Adela's Early Life

Adela was likely born between 1066 and 1070. Her father had just become King of England. Being a princess gave her a high social rank. She was the favorite sister of King Henry I of England. They were probably the youngest children of William the Conqueror.

Adela was a smart and well-educated woman. She even knew Latin. She had several older brothers. This meant she would not inherit her father's titles. However, her royal bloodline was very valuable for a future husband.

Adela married Stephen Henry when she was about fifteen. Stephen was much older than her. He became the Count of Blois, Chartres, and Meaux in 1089. Adela and Stephen had a relationship built on trust. They made important decisions together. For example, they promised to protect the bishop of Chartres during a disagreement with the King of France.

Adela's First Time as Regent

Stephen-Henry joined the First Crusade in 1096. This was a big religious war. Adela took over as regent for her husband while he was away. She also ruled during his second trip in 1101. Stephen wrote letters to Adela from the Crusade. These letters show that he trusted her to rule their lands.

As regent, Adela allowed monks to build new churches. She also worked with Ivo of Chartres, a famous bishop. They wrote letters to each other about important matters. These included how to handle misbehaving nuns and other disputes. While her husband was away, Adela traveled their lands. She settled arguments and helped the economy grow. She even ordered knights to go to battle with the king. It was common for noble women to take on these duties during the Crusades.

Stephen-Henry returned to France in 1100. He brought many treasures with him. But he had left the First Crusade early, which was seen as a disgrace. A writer named Orderic Vitalis said that Adela often told him off for leaving. She urged him to go back to the Holy Land. Stephen had made promises to the Pope. So, he returned to fight in the crusade of 1101. He was killed in battle in 1102. Many historians believe Adela's strong will helped convince him to return.

Adela's Second Time as Regent

Adela continued to rule as regent after her husband died. She also guided her son Thibaud during his early rule. She retired from this role in 1120. Even after Thibaud was old enough to rule, Adela still issued official documents. She acted as a co-ruler in many parts of their lands. Adela did not arrange a marriage for Thibaud right away. This helped her keep her power and influence over her son and their lands.

Adela was a very religious woman. She made sure her children had excellent teachers. Her youngest son, Henry, was given to the Church at a young age. This was a medieval practice called being an "oblate child." Henry later became a powerful bishop. He helped build many bridges, canals, palaces, and castles. He also supported the creation of important books, like the Winchester Bible.

In 1105, Saint Anselm visited Adela when she was sick. She then helped him warn her brother, King Henry I of England, about being removed from the Church. Orderic Vitalis called Adela a "wise and spirited woman." He said she managed her husband's lands and her own very well. Letters from Adela show her strong religious beliefs and intelligence. In one letter from 1104, she gave land to a monastery. But she kept the right to judge crimes in that area. She also made sure to show her place as a woman, linking herself to her late husband and her sons.

Adela had a disagreement with her oldest son, William. Even though he was supposed to be the heir, she chose his younger brother, Theobald, to replace him in 1107. Another son, Stephen of Blois, moved to London in 1111. He joined the court of his uncle, King Henry I. Stephen became his uncle's favorite. When King Henry I died in 1135, Stephen took the English throne. He took it from Henry I's daughter, Matilda, who was supposed to be the next ruler. This started a long civil war in England.

Adela's Retirement

Adela retired to Marcigny Convent in 1120. She chose this large and respected convent. It was close to her son Henry, who was at Cluny Abbey. Adela might have even been a leader within the convent. She continued to talk with her children and Church leaders. This helped her keep her influence over the areas she once ruled. For example, Adela sent letters to her son Thibaud and a bishop. She reminded them of a religious case she had settled. She also reminded her son how she and his father felt about giving gifts to monasteries.

Later that same year, her daughter Lucia-Mahaut died. She drowned in the wreck of the White Ship. Adela lived long enough to see her son Stephen become King of England. She probably felt proud when her youngest son, Henry of Blois, became the Bishop of Winchester in 1129. After Adela died in 1137, prayers were said for her in many churches she had supported. Because of her money, influence, and joining the convent, Adela became a saint in the Catholic Church.

Adela's Children

Adela and Stephen had several children. Their exact birth order is not fully known.

• William, Count of Sully
• Theobald II, Count of Champagne
• Odo of Blois
• Adela, who married Milo II of Montlhéry
• Stephen, King of England
• Lucia-Mahaut, who married Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester. They both died in the White Ship disaster in 1120.
• Agnes, who married Hugh III of Le Puiset
• Alix, who married Renaud III of Joigny
• Henry, Bishop of Winchester (1096–1171), who was raised at Cluny Abbey
• Eleanor of Champagne

Adela had five biological sons. She may have had three or more daughters. Some of the daughters listed might have been Stephen's children from an earlier marriage. The daughters are often mentioned only when they were old enough to marry. Their marriages helped create important family alliances.

Adela's Legacy

Adela is considered a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Her special day is February 24. She was very religious and supported scholars and poets. Throughout her life, she gave money to many abbeys and churches. This helped to grow and save the culture and art of her time.

Adela in Stories

Adela was played by Nike Arrighi in a 1966 TV show called Conquest. This show was about her father's conquest of England.

Adela in Art

Adela is shown in Judy Chicago's art piece called The Dinner Party. Her name is one of the 999 names on the Heritage Floor.

See also

In Spanish: Adela de Normandía para niños