answersLogoWhite

0

The mother of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England, was Herleva who according to one version is the daughter of a tanner (possibly undertaker) from Falaise.

There is a suggestion based in part on the writings of Oderic Vitalis that Fulbert was Duke Robert's chamberlain and that therefore Herleva was of higher birth.

It is certainly true that she married a lord Herluin de Conteville by who she bore Odo Bishop of Bayeux.

Ther problem is that all these stories are at least one generation removed from the events. It is certain that the relationship between Duke Robert (called both the Magnificent and the Devil) and Herleva was irregular and William's illegitimacy is in no doubt; hence his being cognominated "the Bastard".

William the Conqueror was the son of Robert the Devil and his second wife Arlette du Tonnerre. The pope refused to recognise the legitimacy of Robert's "Danish Marriage" and legitimise the young prince. Hence in the eyes of the Roman Church, William FitzRobert remained a Bastard (hense his nickname William the Bastard). His mother Arlette was the daughter of Fulbert de Tonnerre a nephew of Wigo de Tonnerre, she was named for her paternal grandmother. Arlette's mother was Doda MacMalcolm and was either a sister or cousin of Macbeth of Scotland.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?