Humphrey de Vielles
Encyclopedia
Humphrey de Vieilles (died c. 1050) was the first holder of the "grand honneur" of Beaumont-le-Roger
, one of the most important groups of domains in eastern Normandy and the founder of the House of Beaumont
. He was married to Albreda or Alberée de la Haye Auberie.
His early life and origins are the subject of much discussion. As reported by later Norman chronicler Robert of Torigni
, he was son of Thorold de Pont-Audemer and grandson of a Torf, from whose name derived that of the village of Tourville sur Pont Audemer. Humphrey's mother, according to Robert of Torigni, was Duvelina, sister of Gunnora
, concubine of Richard I, Duke of Normandy. Thus Humphrey and his Beaumont descendants were kinsmen of the Norman Dukes and other members of the early Anglo-Norman nobility similarly descended from Gunnora's kindred.
Besides Beaumont-le-Roger
, he had lands dispersed through the whole of Normandy, in Cotentin, in Hiémois, in the Pays d'Auge
, in Basse Seine (Vatteville-la-Rue
), in Évrecin (Normanville
) and in Vexin normand (Bouafles
). These lands originated in the favour of the dukes Richard II and Robert II
, from confiscated church lands. The "honneur" of Beaumont was, for example, constituted from the remains of the lands of the abbey of Bernay
. On the other hand, the possessions around Pont-Audemer
came to him by family inheritance.
In 1034, he 'founded' (or, rather, restored) the monastery at Préaux, a few kilometres from Pont-Audemer
, with monks from the Saint-Wandrille.
During the minority of Duke William the Bastard, Roger I of Tosny
, holder of the "honneur" of Conches
, attacked Humphrey's domains. But around 1040, Humphrey's son, Roger de Beumont
, met and defeated Roger in battle, during which Roger was killed.
One other possible child :
Beaumont-le-Roger
Beaumont-le-Roger is a commune in the department of Eure in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:The commune is located in the valley of the Risle on the edge of the forest with which it shares its name. It is crossed by the Paris-Cherbourg railway line...
, one of the most important groups of domains in eastern Normandy and the founder of the House of Beaumont
House of Beaumont
The Norman family of Beaumont was one of the great baronial Anglo-Norman families which became rooted in England after the Norman conquest.Roger de Beaumont, lord of Pont-Audemer, of Beaumont-le-Roger, of Brionne and of Vatteville, was too old to fight at Hastings, staying in Normandy to govern...
. He was married to Albreda or Alberée de la Haye Auberie.
His early life and origins are the subject of much discussion. As reported by later Norman chronicler Robert of Torigni
Robert of Torigni
Robert of Torigni was a Norman monk and chronicler. He was born at Torigni-sur-Vire in central Normandy, at an unknown date. He entered the monastery of Le Bec in 1128 and became prior there about 1149. He was elected abbot of Mont-Saint-Michel in 1154, and served there until his death.Robert was...
, he was son of Thorold de Pont-Audemer and grandson of a Torf, from whose name derived that of the village of Tourville sur Pont Audemer. Humphrey's mother, according to Robert of Torigni, was Duvelina, sister of Gunnora
Gunnora, Duchess of Normandy
Gunnora was the wife and consort of Richard I of Normandy. Her parentage is unknown, earliest sources reporting solely that she was of Danish ancestry and naming siblings including brother Herfast de Crepon who is sometimes erroneously given as her father.She was living with her sister Seinfreda,...
, concubine of Richard I, Duke of Normandy. Thus Humphrey and his Beaumont descendants were kinsmen of the Norman Dukes and other members of the early Anglo-Norman nobility similarly descended from Gunnora's kindred.
Besides Beaumont-le-Roger
Beaumont-le-Roger
Beaumont-le-Roger is a commune in the department of Eure in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:The commune is located in the valley of the Risle on the edge of the forest with which it shares its name. It is crossed by the Paris-Cherbourg railway line...
, he had lands dispersed through the whole of Normandy, in Cotentin, in Hiémois, in the Pays d'Auge
Pays d'Auge
The Pays d'Auge is an area in Normandy, straddling the départements of Calvados and Orne . The chief town is Lisieux.-Geography:Generally it consists of the basin of the Touques River....
, in Basse Seine (Vatteville-la-Rue
Vatteville-la-Rue
Vatteville-la-Rue is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:A village of forestry and farming situated in a meander of the river Seine in the Pays de Caux, some west of Rouen on the D65 and D40. The area is popular for the hunting of...
), in Évrecin (Normanville
Normanville, Eure
Normanville is a commune in the Eure department in Haute-Normandie in northern France.-Population:...
) and in Vexin normand (Bouafles
Bouafles
Bouafles is a commune in the Eure department in Haute-Normandie in northern France.-Population:...
). These lands originated in the favour of the dukes Richard II and Robert II
Robert II, Duke of Normandy
Robert the Magnificent , also called Robert the Devil , was the Duke of Normandy from 1027 until his death. Owing to uncertainty over the numbering of the Dukes of Normandy he is usually called Robert I, but sometimes Robert II with his ancestor Rollo as Robert I...
, from confiscated church lands. The "honneur" of Beaumont was, for example, constituted from the remains of the lands of the abbey of Bernay
Bernay, Eure
Bernay is a commune in the west of the Eure department about fifty km from Évreux in northern France. The city is in the Pays d'Ouche and the Lieuvin...
. On the other hand, the possessions around Pont-Audemer
Pont-Audemer
Pont-Audemer is a commune in the Eure department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Population:-Sights:The commune was spared substantial damage to its historic buildings during the Battle of Normandy. Nowadays the half-timbered buildings and the canals running between them are a...
came to him by family inheritance.
In 1034, he 'founded' (or, rather, restored) the monastery at Préaux, a few kilometres from Pont-Audemer
Pont-Audemer
Pont-Audemer is a commune in the Eure department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Population:-Sights:The commune was spared substantial damage to its historic buildings during the Battle of Normandy. Nowadays the half-timbered buildings and the canals running between them are a...
, with monks from the Saint-Wandrille.
During the minority of Duke William the Bastard, Roger I of Tosny
Roger I of Tosny
Roger I of Tosny or Roger of Hispania was a Norman nobleman of the House of Tosny who took part in the Reconquista of Iberia. He was the son of Raoul I of Tosny....
, holder of the "honneur" of Conches
Conches-en-Ouche
Conches-en-Ouches is a commune in the Eure department in northern France.-Geography:It is located by the Rouloir river, southwest of Évreux in the Haute-Normandie region. The town is located on a plateau known as the Pays d'Ouche.-Population:-References:...
, attacked Humphrey's domains. But around 1040, Humphrey's son, Roger de Beumont
Roger de Beaumont
Roger de Beaumont-le-Roger, Seigneur de Beaumont-le-Roger et de Pont-Audemer was son of Humphrey de Vielles and his wife Albreda de la Haye Auberie...
, met and defeated Roger in battle, during which Roger was killed.
Family and descendants
His known children by his wife Albreda or Alberée de la Haye Auberie:- Robert, the elder, assassinated by Roger de Clères after 1066 and buried at the abbey of Saint-Pierre de Préaux;
- Roger de BeaumontRoger de BeaumontRoger de Beaumont-le-Roger, Seigneur de Beaumont-le-Roger et de Pont-Audemer was son of Humphrey de Vielles and his wife Albreda de la Haye Auberie...
, known as le Barbe († 1094), who succeeded his father. - Dunelma (perhaps a corrupted form of Duvelina, the name of her grandmother) sister of Roger of Beaumont and mother of a daughter who was a NunNunA nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
at Saint-Léger de Préaux
One other possible child :
- Guillaume de Beaumont, MonkMonkA monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
at the abbey of Saint-Pierre de Préaux