 illiam I. "At the same time [of the peasant's revolt] William I,
(1) one of Duke Richard II's [illegitimate] brothers,
by Richard I, became arrogant and rebellious. By the friendship of his brother
he had received the county of Hiémois as a gift, so that he could
provide him [Duke Richard II] with military support, but mislead by the
cunning of evil men, he despised his lordship and refused obedience due
from fealty. After the duke, Richard, had rebuked him several times through
messengers and William had obstinately refused to back down, the duke, on
the advice and with the support of Count Rodulf [of Ivry, a half-brother
to Richard I (p 175)], made him
prisoner and kept him in custody in the tower of the city of Rouen, where
he made amendment for his rebellion for five years. Some of William's retainers,
who had continued this rebellion, were killed in successive battles and
others were exiled from their lands."
"Finally, after five years William with the help of one of his followers
escaped from the tower [at Rouen] by climbing down a very long rope hung
from the highest window [it was Turketil--his future father-in-law--who
helped him escape |
(p.10)]. During the day time he hid himself in order
not to be found by those looking for him, while at night he journeyed."
"Finally, he wondered whether it would be better for him to risk
his life and to seek help from some other king or count. One day, while
making his way in this state of mind, he encountered the duke, Richard,
who was hunting in the valley of Vernon. He threw himself on the ground
at his feet, and miserably asked for forgiveness for his misdeeds. The duke,
instantly moved with compassion and with the support of Count Rodulf, raised
him from the ground and upon hearing his brother's own account of his escape
he not only forgave him his faults but from that moment onwards he entrusted
him with the county of Eu (between 1012 and 1015)(2,3),
and gave him in marriage a very beautiful girl called Lescelina, daughter
of a noblemen named Turketil. She bore him three sons: Robert, who after
his [William's] death, was his heir to the county; William, [Count of Soissons];
and Hugh, Bishop of Lisieux. After the unrest had calmed down the land of
Normandy rejoiced in peace under Duke Richard." (p.9-11) |
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(1) Footnote: "William I, count of Eu (c. 975-before
1040) was one of the {illegitimate] sons of Duke Richard I and thus a half-brother
of Richard II.
(2) Footnote: "The 'comitatus' of Eu had been in the
possession of William's half-brother, another of Duke Richard I's [illegitimate]
sons.... William I was made Count of Eu between 1012 and 1015, although
he most probably received the territory before that time." p. 10 |
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(3) Footnote: "...Godfrey had been Count of Eu before
another [illegitimate] son of Duke Richard I, William I, became Count of
Eu." Godfrey's son, Gilbert, became Count of Eu between William I and
William II. Count Gilbert of Eu, guardian of the boy Duke William, was killed
aft 1 Oct 1040 and bef Feb 1041. p. 92-93 |
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