Brian of Brittany facts for kids
Brian of Brittany (born around 1042 – died possibly before 1086) was an important nobleman from Brittany, a region in France. He was a loyal fighter for William I of England, also known as William the Conqueror. Brian became a powerful figure in southwest England and was the first earl of Cornwall after the Norman Conquest.
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Early Life and the Norman Conquest
Brian was born around 1042. He was one of the sons of Odo, Count of Penthièvre. Brian joined William the Conqueror's army during the Norman Conquest of England. His brothers, Alan the Black and Alan the Red, also came with him.
Fighting for William the Conqueror
After the Battle of Hastings, the sons of Harold Godwinson, Godwine and Edmund, escaped to Ireland. In 1068 and 1069, the Irish King Diarmait lent them ships to try and invade England.
In the summer of 1069, Brian led a group of soldiers who defeated Harold's sons at the Battle of Northam in Devon. Later that same year, Brian and another Norman leader, William fitzOsbern, were sent to help cities like Shrewsbury and Exeter. These cities were being attacked by English forces who were rebelling against the new Norman rule. They arrived too late to save Shrewsbury, but at Exeter, the English rebels were driven into Brian and William's path and were badly defeated.
After this victory, Brian's forces went north to fight against a rebellion led by Eadric the Wild. William the Conqueror's army moved west. The two armies met and won the Battle of Stafford.
Land and Launceston Castle
For his loyalty and military success, Brian was given large areas of land in Suffolk and Cornwall. Although he was a powerful figure, he wasn't officially called "Earl of Cornwall" until much later, in 1140. This title was given to his nephew, Alan, 1st Earl of Richmond, who might have used Brian's name to make his own new title seem more official. Brian's name is often connected to the building of Launceston Castle.
What Happened Next?
Brian may have left England not long after the battles of 1069. Another possibility is that he left after a rebellion in 1075 led by Ralph de Gael. After he left, his lands were given to Robert of Mortain by King William. This, along with Ralph de Gael's banishment, upset many Bretons living in England. To calm them down, William gave Ralph's lands in East Anglia to Brian's brother, Alan.
Brian might have spent the rest of his life in or near Brittany, possibly being sick or injured. He was seen in Brittany in 1084, witnessing a document for his eldest brother. He may have died before 1086.
