Robert II (archbishop of Rouen) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert II
Archbishop of Rouen
Tenure	989–1037
Predecessor	Hugh III
Successor	Mauger
Count of Évreux
Reign	c. 989–1037
Predecessor	New creation
Successor	Richard
Born	bef. 989
Died	1037
Spouse	Herlevea
Issue	Richard, Count of Évreux Ralph de Gacé William d'Évreux
House	House of Normandy
Father	Richard I, Duke of Normandy
Mother	Gunnor
Religion	pre-schismatic Chalcedonian christendom

Robert II, who lived from before 989 to 1037, was an important leader in Normandy. He was both the Archbishop of Rouen and the Count of Évreux. Robert was a very powerful and influential church leader. He was also a close family member and strong supporter of five different dukes of Normandy.

Life as a Leader

Robert was the son of Richard I, the Duke of Normandy, and his second wife, Gunnor. He was the younger brother of Duke Richard II. He was also the uncle of Duke Robert I.

Around the year 989, Robert was made the Archbishop of Rouen by his father. At the same time, he was also given the title of Count of Évreux. Robert knew he was meant for a life in the church. He seemed to accept his roles as both archbishop and count willingly.

Robert was always involved in the politics of Normandy. He was a strong supporter of the Norman dukes. He proved to be a powerful ally for his father, Richard I. He also helped his brother, Richard II. When Richard II died, Robert became the main advisor to the ducal family.

However, his nephew Richard III had a difficult and short rule. When Richard III was replaced by his brother Robert I, Archbishop Robert had trouble controlling the new duke. In 1028, Duke Robert I attacked and then sent his uncle, Archbishop Robert, away from Normandy. Duke Robert I also attacked Hugh d'Ivry, the Bishop of Bayeux. Both the Archbishop and the Bishop had questioned the Duke's power.

While in exile in France, Archbishop Robert took a serious step. He excommunicated his nephew, Duke Robert. This meant he officially removed the Duke from the church. He also placed all of Normandy under an interdict. This stopped church services and sacraments in the region.

Eventually, the Archbishop and the Duke reached an agreement. To end the interdict and excommunication, Duke Robert gave the Archbishop back his church position. He also returned his countship of Évreux and all his properties. To show he had changed, Duke Robert also returned property that he or his followers had taken from the church. By 1034, all church properties, including those from Fécamp Abbey, were given back.

Around 1033, Duke Robert was planning a big fight against his cousin, Alan III, Duke of Brittany. They had been raiding each other's lands. But finally, a peace agreement was made between them. This peace was arranged by Archbishop Robert, who was an uncle to both of them.

In his later years, Robert realized some of his past mistakes. He started giving a lot of money to the poor. He also began rebuilding the main church in Rouen, the cathedral. In 1035, Duke Robert decided to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Before leaving, he named his son, the future William the Conqueror, as his heir. He also asked the Archbishop to look after and protect young William. Duke Robert then left on his pilgrimage and never returned to Normandy.

Archbishop Robert kept his promise. He effectively ruled Normandy as a regent for William. This continued until Robert's death in 1037. His death almost immediately led to more lawlessness in Normandy. His nephew, Mauger, took over his role as Archbishop of Rouen.

Family

Robert married a woman named Herlevea. They had several children together:

• Richard, Count of Évreux (died in 1067)
• Ralph d'Évreux, who was the Lord of Gacé. He married Basilla Flaitel. They had one son, Robert d'Évreux, who died without children.
• William d'Évreux, who married Hawise de Échauffour. They had a daughter named Judith d'Évreux. Judith later married Roger I of Sicily.

See also

In Spanish: Roberto el Danés para niños