Robert, Count of Mortain facts for kids
Robert, Count of Mortain (born around 1031 – died around 1095) was an important Norman nobleman. He was the half-brother of William the Conqueror, who became King of England. Robert was one of the few people known to have fought alongside William at the famous Battle of Hastings.
After William conquered England, Robert became one of the wealthiest landowners in the new kingdom. A record called the Domesday Book from 1086 shows just how much land he owned.
Contents
Early Life
Robert was born in Normandy around 1031. His parents were Herluin de Conteville and Herleva of Falaise. He was the younger half-brother of William the Conqueror and the full brother of Odo of Bayeux.
Around 1035, Robert's father, Herluin, who was a local leader called a Viscount, helped start a place called Grestain Abbey.
Becoming Count of Mortain
Around 1049, Robert's half-brother, Duke William, gave him an important title: Count of Mortain. This happened after the previous Count, William Werlenc, was sent away by Duke William.
The area of Mortain was very important. It was on the southern border of Normandy, protecting it from areas like Brittany. Duke William trusted Robert with this key position.
Helping Conquer England
In early 1066, Robert was part of important meetings where Duke William planned to invade England. Robert promised to provide 120 ships for the invasion. This was more than any other nobleman offered!
Robert was one of the few people definitely known to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The famous Bayeux Tapestry shows him having dinner with his brothers, William and Odo, on the day they landed in England.
Robert later wrote that he fought at the Battle of Hastings under the banner of Saint Michael.
Lands in England
William the Conqueror clearly thought Robert's help was very important. After the invasion, Robert received a huge amount of land. The Domesday Book shows he owned 797 manors (large estates) across England.
Most of his lands were in Cornwall, where he held almost the entire county. Some people even thought of him as the Earl of Cornwall. Robert managed his lands from places like Launceston, Cornwall and Montacute. His total wealth from these lands was very high for the time.
Later Years
In 1069, Robert helped lead an army against some Danish invaders in Lindsey. They won a big victory. After this, Robert spent most of his time in Normandy, even though he owned a lot of land in England.
In 1088, Robert joined his brother Odo in a revolt against King William II. However, he was later forgiven. Robert died in 1095 and was buried at Abbey of Grestain, next to his first wife.
About Robert
A writer named William of Malmesbury once described Robert as not being a man of great wisdom. However, William the Conqueror saw him as one of his most loyal supporters. William trusted Robert with the important county of Mortain.
Robert was also a religious man. He was known to have a difficult temper at times. Despite this, he was very good at all the duties William gave him.
Family Life
Robert married Matilda, the daughter of Roger de Montgomery, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, before 1066. They had several children:
- William, Count of Mortain, who took over his father's titles.
- Agnes, who married André de Vitré.
- Denise, who married Guy, 3rd Sire de La Val.
- Emma of Mortain, who married William IV of Toulouse.
Through Emma's daughter, Philippa, Robert became a very distant ancestor of Eleanor of Aquitaine. This means he is also an ancestor of all English kings and queens after Henry II.
After Matilda died in 1084, Robert married a second wife named Almodis. They did not have any children together.
