Alan II, Duke of Brittany facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alan II |
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Tapestries depicting Henry IV of France and Duke Alan II
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| Duke of Brittany | |
| Reign | 938–952 |
| Successor | Drogo |
| Born | c. 900 |
| Died | 952 Nantes |
| Issue |
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| House | House of Nantes |
| Father | Mathuedoï I, Count of Poher |
| Mother | daughter of Alan I (name unknown) |
Alan II (around 900–952) was an important leader in Brittany, a region in France. He was known as Wrybeard or Twistedbeard because of his beard. In the Breton language, his name was Alan Varvek. He was the Count of Vannes, Poher, and Nantes, and became the Duke of Brittany in 938, ruling until his death.
Alan II was the grandson of a famous ruler named Alan the Great. His mother was Alan the Great's daughter, and his father was Mathuedoï I, Count of Poher. Alan II is most famous for driving out the Vikings (also called Norsemen) from Brittany. They had taken over the region from 907 until about 939.
Contents
The Vikings
Seeking safety in England
When Alan II was young, the Norsemen invaded Armorica, which is now Brittany. Because of this, Alan and his father, Mathuedoi I, had to leave their home. They found safety with King Æthelstan in England.
An old book called the Chronicle of Nantes tells us about this time. It says that Mathuedoi, the Count of Poher, sailed to England with many Bretons. He took his son, Alan, with him. King Æthelstan had a special connection with Alan because he had been Alan's godfather. This made the king trust Alan a lot.
Alan became the ruler of Brittany after a long period of 33 years without a duke. This happened after his grandfather, Duke Alan the Great, died.
Returning to Brittany
In 936, Alan returned to Brittany. A monk named Jean de Landévennec invited him back, and King Æthelstan helped him. Alan landed at Dol. By 937, Alan had taken back most of Brittany. He pushed the Norsemen back towards the Loire river.
The Chronicle of Nantes also describes how the city of Nantes was empty and ruined for many years. It was overgrown with thorns until Alan Wrybeard came. He was the grandson of Alan the Great. Alan Wrybeard completely drove the Norsemen out of Brittany and away from the Loire river, which was important for them.
Alan had grown up with King Æthelstan in England. He was strong and very brave. He preferred to fight wild boars and bears with a wooden stick instead of an iron weapon. He gathered a few ships and, with the king's permission, returned to Brittany with the Bretons who were still alive there.
In 938, Alan was chosen as the "Duke of the Bretons." On August 1, 939, he won a big victory. With help from Judicael (Berengar), the Count of Rennes, and Hugh I, Count of Maine, Alan defeated the Norse at the Battle of Trans-la-Forêt. Alan declared this day a national holiday for Brittany.
Alliances with other leaders
Alan II was a close friend and ally of King Louis IV of West Francia. Both of them had lived as exiles in England at the court of King Edward the Elder and his son Æthelstan. In 942, Alan agreed to give up some lands, like the Cotentin, Avranchin, and Mayenne, and promised to be loyal to Louis IV. He was also allied with Theobald the Old, who was the Count of Chartres.
His family
Alan II was the grandson of Alan I, King of Brittany. His great-grandfather was Ridoreth, the Count of Vannes. He was also the grand-nephew of Pascweten.
Alan II married a sister or a daughter of Count Theobald I of Blois. Their son, Drogo, Duke of Brittany, became duke after Alan.
Alan also had two other sons, Hoël and Guerech. They would later rule Brittany after Drogo's death.
Death
Alan II died in 952. He was buried in his capital city, Nantes. He was laid to rest in a church he built to honor the Virgin Mary. He built this church to thank her for his victory in freeing Nantes. Today, this church is known as the Basilique Notre Dame. His son, Drogo, became the next duke.
See also
- Dukes of Brittany family tree
| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Gourmaëlon followed by Viking Occupation (to 937) |
Duke of Brittany 938–952 |
Succeeded by Drogo |
