Gilbert, Count of Brionne
Encyclopedia
Gilbert (1000–1040) was a Norman noble, Count of Eu, and Count of Brionne in northern France
.
(b. 962) who was an illegitimate child of Richard the Fearless
.
. He married Gunnora d'Aunou in 1012. He had children by his wife and a mistress.
Gilbert was a generous benefactor to Bec Abbey
founded by his former knight Herluin in 1031.
When Robert II, Duke of Normandy died in 1035 his illegitimate son William inherited his father's title. Several leading Normans, including Gilbert of Brionne, Osbern the Seneschal and Alan of Brittany, became William's guardians.
and his brother Baldwin were conveyed by their friends to the court of Baldwin, Count of Flanders.
, of the Barons Fitz Walter, and the Earls of Gloucester
and Hertford
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Parentage
Gilbert was son of Geoffrey, Count of EuGeoffrey, Count of Eu
Geoffrey of Brionne , was Count of Eu and Brionne in the early eleventh century.- Biography :Although he was an illegitimate son of Duke Richard I of Normandy, we know very little of his life. The name of his mother is unknown....
(b. 962) who was an illegitimate child of Richard the Fearless
Richard I of Normandy
Richard I of Normandy , also known as Richard the Fearless , was the Duke of Normandy from 942 to 996; he is considered the first to have held that title.-Birth:He was born to William I of Normandy, ruler of Normandy, and Sprota...
.
Life
He inherited Brionne, becoming one of the most powerful landowners in NormandyNormandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
. He married Gunnora d'Aunou in 1012. He had children by his wife and a mistress.
Gilbert was a generous benefactor to Bec Abbey
Bec Abbey
Bec Abbey in Le Bec Hellouin, Normandy, France, once the most influential abbey in the Anglo-Norman kingdom of the twelfth century, is a Benedictine monastic foundation in the Eure département, in the Bec valley midway between the cities of Rouen and Bernay.Like all abbeys, Bec maintained annals...
founded by his former knight Herluin in 1031.
When Robert II, Duke of Normandy died in 1035 his illegitimate son William inherited his father's title. Several leading Normans, including Gilbert of Brionne, Osbern the Seneschal and Alan of Brittany, became William's guardians.
Death
A number of Norman barons including Raoul de Gacé would not accept an illegitimate son as their leader. In 1040 an attempt was made to kill William but the plot failed. Gilbert however was murdered while he was peaceably riding near Eschafour. It is believed two of his killers were Ralph of Wacy and Robert de Vitot. This appears to have been an act of vengeance for wrongs inflicted upon the orphan children of Giroie by Gilbert, and it is not clear what Raoul de Gacé had to do in the business. Fearing they might meet their father's fate, his sons RichardRichard Fitz Gilbert
Richard fitz Gilbert , was a Norman lord who participated in the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He was also known as "de Bienfaite", "de Clare", and "de Tonbridge".-Biography:...
and his brother Baldwin were conveyed by their friends to the court of Baldwin, Count of Flanders.
Children
Gilbert was ancestor of the English house of de ClareDe Clare
The de Clare family of Norman lords were associated with the Welsh Marches, Suffolk, Surrey, Kent and Ireland. They were descended from Richard fitz Gilbert, who accompanied William the Conqueror into England during the Norman conquest of England.-Origins:The Clare family descends from Gilbert...
, of the Barons Fitz Walter, and the Earls of Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
and Hertford
Hertford
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. Forming a civil parish, the 2001 census put the population of Hertford at about 24,180. Recent estimates are that it is now around 28,000...
.
- Sir Richard Fitz GilbertRichard Fitz GilbertRichard fitz Gilbert , was a Norman lord who participated in the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He was also known as "de Bienfaite", "de Clare", and "de Tonbridge".-Biography:...
(Richard de Clare) (1030-1091), m. Rohese Giffard (1034-aft. 1113) - Baldwin FitzGilbertBaldwin FitzGilbertBaldwin fitz Gilbert was a Norman nobleman, the son of Gilbert, Count of Brionne who, along with his brother Richard fitz Gilbert, accompanied William, Duke of Normandy and participated in the conquest of England in 1066. He was also known as Baldwin de Meules et du Sap, Baldwin of Exeter, Baldwin...
(d. 1090)