Biography of Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy 1051-1134

Paternal Family Tree: Norman

Maternal Family Tree: Gerberge Unknown Viscountess Anjou

1068 Coronation of Queen Matilda

1079 William The Conqueror Battle with his son Robert Curthose

1080 Christening of Edith Matilda of Scotland

1087 King William "The Conqueror" Dies King William II Succeeds

1101 Christmas Court

1101 Treaty of Alton

1106 Battle of Tinchebray

1134 Death of Robert Curthouse

On 03 Jul 1035 [his grandfather] Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 35) died at Nicaea. His son [his father] King William "Conqueror" I of England (age 7) succeeded II Duke Normandy.

Before 1051 [his father] King William "Conqueror" I of England (age 23) and [his mother] Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England (age 19) were married. She the daughter of Baldwin "The Good" V Count Flanders (age 38) and Adela Capet Duchess Normandy (age 41). He the son of Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy and Herleva Falaise. They were third cousin once removed.

Around 1051 Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy was born to King William "Conqueror" I of England (age 23) and Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England (age 20).

In 1056 Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 5) and Marguerite Maine Countess Essex (age 11) were betrothed but she died before they could marry.

In 1063 Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 12) was created Count Maine.

Coronation of Queen Matilda

Flowers of History. 11 May 1068. [his mother] Matilda (age 37), the wife of king [his father] William (age 40), was consecrated queen on the day of Pentecost, by Aeldred, archbishop of York, on the twenty-second of March. [Note. The date a mistake. Pentecost the fiftieth day after Easter so usually in May. Pentcost known as White Sunday, or Whit-Sunday.] This year also, William (age 40) had a son born in England, who was called [his brother] Henry. For his first-born, [his brother] William Rufus (age 12), and also Robert (age 17), were born in Normandy, before their father had conquered England.

Flowers of History. 1075. The same year, on Easter day, the above-named [his father] king William (age 47) gave his daughter [his sister] Cecilia (age 19) to be dedicated to the service of God with devout solemnity in the church at Feschamp. Also king William cursed his son Robert (age 24), because he had often provoked him to anger, and in the bitterness of his soul he drove him from his sight and presence. And Robert at the end of his life found out undeniably how great was the effect of the paternal malediction, when having become blind, he was exposed to the hatred and persecution of his brothers, and so died miserably in prison.

1079 William The Conqueror Battle with his son Robert Curthose

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1079. This year Robert (age 28), the son of [his father] King William (age 51), deserted from his father to his uncle [his uncle] Robert in Flanders (age 46); because his father (age 51) would not let him govern his earldom in Normandy; which he himself, and also King Philip (age 26) with his permission, had given him. The best men that were in the land also had sworn oaths of allegiance to him, and taken him for their lord. This year, therefore, Robert (age 28) fought with his father (age 51), without Normandy, by a castle called Gerberoy; and wounded him in the hand; and his horse, that he sat upon, was killed under him; and he that brought him another was killed there right with a dart. That was Tookie Wiggodson. Many were there slain, and also taken. His son [his brother] William (age 23) too was there wounded; but Robert (age 37) returned to Flanders. We will not here, however, record any more injury that he did his father (age 51).

Flowers of History. 1080. This year also, [his father] king William (age 52) led a powerful army into Wales, and subjugated it; and received homage and hostages for their fidelity from the petty kings of the viscounty. The same year, Antioch was taken by the pagans, together with the adjacent province, which had been a Christian land ever since the time of Saint Peter, without any disturbances. The same year, Malcolm, king of Scotland (age 48), became furious a second time after the Assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary, and ravaged the whole of Northumberland, as far as the river Tyne. But when he heard of this, the king of England (age 52) sent his son Robert (age 29) with an army into Scotland, who returned without having succeeded in his objects, and built a new castle [Map] in the river Tyne, and then returned to his father. The same year also, the king sent his brother [his uncle] Odo, bishop of Bayeux, with a large army, to lay waste Northumberland, the people of which district had risen in insurrection against the king, and had murdered Walcher, bishop of Durham, a man of exemplary character, at Gateshead.

Christening of Edith Matilda of Scotland

Around 1080 Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England was christened at Dunfermline [Map]. Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 29) was godfather, [his mother] Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England (age 49) godmother.

On 02 Nov 1083 [his mother] Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England (age 52) died.

King William "The Conqueror" Dies King William II Succeeds

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1087. In the same year also, before the Assumption of St. Mary, [his father] King William (age 59) went from Normandy [Map] into France with an army, and made war upon his own lord Philip, the king (age 34), and slew many of his men, and burned the town of Mante, and all the holy minsters that were in the town; and two holy men that served God, leading the life of anachorets, were burned therein. This being thus done, King William (age 59) returned to Normandy. Rueful was the thing he did; but a more rueful him befel. How more rueful? He fell sick, and it dreadfully ailed him. What shall I say? Sharp death, that passes by neither rich men nor poor, seized him also. He died in Normandy, on the next day after the Nativity of St. Mary, and he was buried at Caen in St. Stephen's minster [Map], which he had formerly reared, and afterwards endowed with manifold gifts. Alas! how false and how uncertain is this world's weal! He that was before a rich king (age 59), and lord of many lands, had not then of all his land more than a space of seven feet! and he that was whilom enshrouded in gold and gems, lay there covered with mould! He left behind him three sons; the eldest, called Robert (age 36), who was earl in Normandy after him; the second, called [his brother] William (age 31), who wore the crown after him in England; and the third, called [his brother] Henry (age 19), to whom his father bequeathed immense treasure. If any person wishes to know what kind of man he was, or what honour he had, or of how many lands he was lord, then will we write about him as well as we understand him: we who often looked upon him, and lived sometime in his court. This King William (age 59) then that we speak about was a very wise man, and very rich; more splendid and powerful than any of his predecessors were. He was mild to the good men that loved God, and beyond all measure severe to the men that gainsayed his will. On that same spot where God granted him that he should gain England, he reared a mighty minster, and set monks therein, and well endowed it. In his days was the great monastery in Canterbury built, and also very many others over all England. This land was moreover well filled with monks, who modelled their lives after the rule of St. Benedict. But such was the state of Christianity in his time, that each man followed what belonged to his profession-he that would. He was also very dignified. Thrice he bare his crown each year, as oft as he was in England. At Easter he bare it in Winchester, at Pentecost in Westminster, at midwinter in Glocester. And then were with him all the rich men over all England; archbishops and diocesan bishops, abbots and earls, thanes and knights. So very stern was he also and hot, that no man durst do anything against his will. He had earls in his custody, who acted against his will. Bishops he hurled from their bishoprics, and abbots from their abbacies, and thanes into prison. At length he spared not his own brother [his uncle] Odo, who was a very rich bishop in Normandy. At Baieux was his episcopal stall; and he was the foremost man of all to aggrandise the king (age 59). He had an earldom in England; and when the king (age 59) was in Normandy, then was he the mightiest man in this land. Him he confined in prison. But amongst other things is not to be forgotten that good peace that he made in this land; so that a man of any account might go over his kingdom unhurt with his bosom full of gold. No man durst slay another, had he never so much evil done to the other; and if any churl lay with a woman against her will, he soon lost the limb that he played with. He truly reigned over England; and by his capacity so thoroughly surveyed it, that there was not a hide of land in England that he wist not who had it, or what it was worth, and afterwards set it down in his book.110 The land of the Britons was in his power; and he wrought castles therein; and ruled Anglesey withal. So also he subdued Scotland by his great strength. As to Normandy, that was his native land; but he reigned also over the earldom called Maine; and if he might have yet lived two years more, he would have won Ireland by his valour, and without any weapons. Assuredly in his time had men much distress, and very many sorrows. Castles he let men build, and miserably swink the poor. The king (age 59) himself was so very rigid; and extorted from his subjects many marks of gold, and many hundred pounds of silver; which he took of his people, for little need, by right and by unright. He was fallen into covetousness, and greediness he loved withal. He made many deer-parks; and he established laws therewith; so that whosoever slew a hart, or a hind, should be deprived of his eyesight. As he forbade men to kill the harts, so also the boars; and he loved the tall deer as if he were their father. Likewise he decreed by the hares, that they should go free. His rich men bemoaned it, and the poor men shuddered at it. But he was so stern, that he recked not the hatred of them all; for they must follow withal the king's (age 59) will, if they would live, or have land, or possessions, or even his peace. Alas! that any man should presume so to puff himself up, and boast o'er all men. May the Almighty God show mercy to his soul, and grant him forgiveness of his sins! These things have we written concerning him, both good and evil; that men may choose the good after their goodness, and flee from the evil withal, and go in the way that leadeth us to the kingdom of heaven. Many things may we write that were done in this same year. So it was in Denmark, that the Danes, a nation that was formerly accounted the truest of all, were turned aside to the greatest untruth, and to the greatest treachery that ever could be. They chose and bowed to King Cnute, and swore him oaths, and afterwards dastardly slew him in a church. It happened also in Spain, that the heathens went and made inroads upon the Christians, and reduced much of the country to their dominion. But the king of the Christians, Alphonzo by name, sent everywhere into each land, and desired assistance. And they came to his support from every land that was Christian; and they went and slew or drove away all the heathen folk, and won their land again, through God's assistance.

On 09 Sep 1087 [his father] King William "Conqueror" I of England (age 59) died at the Priory of St Gervaise, Rouen. He was buried at Abbaye-aux-Hommes, Caen, Calvados, Basse Normandie at a ceremony presided over by Gilbert Arques Bishop Evreux. [his brother] King Henry I "Beauclerc" England (age 19) attended. His son [his brother] William "Rufus" II King England (age 31) succeeded II King England. His son Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 36) succeeded III Duke Normandy.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1090. Indiction XIII. These things thus done, just as we have already said above, by the [his brother] king (age 34), and by his brother and by this men, the king (age 34) was considering how he might wreak his vengeance on his brother Robert, harass him most, and win Normandy of him. And indeed through his craft, or through bribery, he got possession of the castle at St. Valeri, and the haven; and so he got possession of that at Albemarle. And therein he set his knights; and they did harm to the land in harrowing and burning. After this he got possession of more castles in the land; and therein lodged his horsemen. When the Earl of Normandy, Robert, understood that his sworn men deceived him, and gave up their castles to do him harm, then sent he to his lord, Philip, king of the Franks; and he came to Normandy [Map] with a large army, and the king (age 34) and the earl with an immense force beset the castle about, wherein were the men of the King of England (age 34). But the King William (age 34) of England sent to Philip, king of the Franks; and he for his love, or for his great treasure, abandoned thus his subject the Earl Robert (age 39) and his land; and returned again to France, and let them so remain. And in the midst of these things this land was much oppressed by unlawful exactions and by many other misfortunes.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1091. In this year the [his brother] King William (age 35) held his court at Christmas in Westminster, and thereafter at Candlemas he went, for the annoyance of his brother, out of England into Normandy. Whilst he was there, their reconciliation took place, on the condition, that the earl put into his hands Feschamp, and the earldom of Ou, and Cherbourg; and in addition to this, that the king's (age 35) men should be secure in the castles that they had won against the will of the earl. And the king (age 35) in return promised him those many [castles] that their father had formerly won, and also to reduce those that had revolted from the earl, also all that his father had there beyond, except those that he had then given the king (age 35), and that all those, that in England before for the earl had lost their land, should have it again by this treaty, and that the earl should have in England just so much as was specified in this agreement. And if the earl died without a son by lawful wedlock, the king (age 35) should be heir of all Normandy; and by virtue of this same treaty, if the king (age 35) died, the earl should be heir of all England. To this treaty swore twelve of the best men of the king's (age 35) side, and twelve of the earl's, though it stood but a little while afterwards. In the midst of this treaty was Edgar Etheling (age 40) deprived of the land that the earl had before permitted him to keep in hand; and he went out of Normandy to the king (age 35), his sister's husband, in Scotland, and to his sister. Whilst the King William (age 35) was out of England, the King Malcolm (age 59) of Scotland came hither into England, and overran a great deal of it, until the good men that governed this land sent an army against him and repulsed him. When the King William (age 35) in Normandy [Map] heard this, then prepared he his departure, and came to England, and his brother, the Earl Robert (age 40), with him; and he soon issued an order to collect a force both naval and military; but the naval force, ere it could come to Scotland, perished almost miserably, a few days before St. Michael's mass. And the king (age 35) and his brother proceeded with the land-force; but when the King Malcolm (age 59) heard that they were resolved to seek him with an army, he went with his force out of Scotland into Lothaine in England, and there abode. When the King William (age 35) came near with his army, then interceded between them Earl Robert (age 40), and Edgar Etheling (age 40), and so made the peace of the king (age 35)s, that the King Malcolm (age 59) came to our king (age 35), and did homage114, promising all such obedience as he formerly paid to his father; and that he confirmed with an oath. And the King William (age 35) promised him in land and in all things whatever he formerly had under his father. In this settlement was also Edgar Etheling (age 40) united with the king (age 35). And the king (age 35)s then with much satisfaction departed; yet that stood but a little while. And the Earl Robert (age 40) tarried here full nigh until Christmas with the king (age 35), and during this time found but little of the truth of their agreement; and two days before that tide he took ship in the Isle of Wight, and went into Normandy, and Edgar Etheling (age 40) with him.

Note 114. Literally "became his man"—"Ic becom eowr man" was the formula of doing homage.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1095. In this year was the [his brother] King William (age 39) the first four days of Christmas at Whitsand, and after the fourth day came hither, and landed at Dover. And Henry, the king's (age 39) brother, abode in this land until Lent, and then went over sea to Normandy, with much treasure, on the king's (age 39) behalf, against their brother, Earl Robert (age 44), and frequently fought against the earl, and did him much harm, both in land and in men. And then at Easter held the king (age 39) his court in Winchester; and the Earl Robert of Northumberland would not come to court. And the king (age 39) was much stirred to anger with him for this, and sent to him, and bade him harshly, if he would be worthy of protection, that he would come to court at Pentecost.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1100. During the harvest of this same year also came the Earl Robert (age 49) home into Normandy, and the Earl Robert of Flanders (age 35), Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, from Jerusalem. And as soon as the Earl Robert (age 49) came into Normandy, he was joyfully received by all his people; except those of the castles that were garrisoned with the [his brother] King Henry's (age 32) men. Against them he had many contests and struggles.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1101. This year also the Bishop Ranulf (age 41) at Candlemas burst out of the Tower of London [Map] by night, where he was in confinement, and went into Normandy; through whose contrivance and instigation mostly the Earl Robert (age 50) this year sought this land with hostility.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1101. And the [his brother] king (age 33) afterwards sent ships out to sea, to thwart and impede his brother (age 50); but some of them in the time of need fell back, and turned from the king (age 33), and surrendered themselves to the Earl Robert (age 50).

Christmas Court

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1101. In this year at Christmas held the [his brother] King Henry (age 33) his court in Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester, Hampshire [Map]. And soon thereafter were the chief men in this land in a conspiracy against the king (age 33); partly from their own great infidelity, and also through the Earl Robert (age 50) of Normandy, who with hostility aspired to the invasion of this land.

Treaty of Alton

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Jun 1101. Then at midsummer went the [his brother] king (age 33) out to Pevensey [Map] with all his force against his brother (age 50), and there awaited him. But in the meantime came the Earl Robert (age 50) up at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] twelve nights before Lammas; and the king (age 33) with all his force came against him. But the chief men interceded between them, and settled the brothers on the condition, "that the king (age 33) should forego all that he held by main strength in Normandy against the earl (age 50); and that all then in England should have their lands again, who had lost it before through the earl (age 50), and Earl Eustace also all his patrimony in this land; and that the Earl Robert (age 50) every year should receive from England three thousand marks of silver; and particularly, that whichever of the brothers should survive the other, he should be heir of all England and also of Normandy, except the deceased left an heir by lawful wedlock." And this twelve men of the highest rank on either side then confirmed with an oath. And the earl (age 50) afterwards remained in this land till after Michaelmas; and his men did much harm wherever they went, the while that the earl continued in this land.

After 25 Jul 1101 [his brother] King Henry I "Beauclerc" England (age 33) and Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 50), brothers, both sons of [his father] King William "Conqueror" I of England, signed the Treaty of Alton at Alton, Hampshire by which Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 50) agreed to renounce his claim to the English throne in exchange for a yearly stipend and other concessions.

On 20 Jul 1101 Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 50) landed at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map].

In 1102 Robert II Belleme 2nd Count Ponthieu 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 46) forfeit his Earldom of Shrewsbury for having rebelled against King Henry I "Beauclerc" England (age 34) and supported Robert Curthose (age 51).

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1102. In this year at the Nativity was the [his brother] king Henry (age 34) at Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester, Hampshire [Map]. And soon thereafter arose a dissention between the king (age 34) and the Earl Robert of Belesme (age 46), who held in this land the earldom of Shrewsbury, that his father, Earl Roger, had before, and much territory therewith both on this side and beyond the sea. And the king (age 34) went and beset the castle at Arundel [Map]; but when he could not easily win it, he allowed men to make castles before it, and filled them with his men; and afterwards with all his army he went to Bridgenorth, and there continued until he had the castle [Map], and deprived the Earl Robert (age 51) of his land, and stripped him of all that he had in England. And the earl (age 51) accordingly went over sea, and the army afterwards returned home. Then was the king (age 34) thereafter by Michaelmas at Westminster; and all the principal men in this land, clerk, and laity.

Before 25 Oct 1102 Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 51) and Sybilla Conversano Duchess Normandy were married. She by marriage Duchess Normandy. He the son of King William "Conqueror" I of England and Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England.

On 25 Oct 1102 [his son] William Clito Normandy Count Flanders was born to Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 51) and [his wife] Sybilla Conversano Duchess Normandy. He a grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1103. This year also came the Earl Robert (age 52) of Normandy to speak with the [his brother] king (age 35) in this land; and ere he departed hence he forgave the King Henry (age 35) the three thousand marks that he was bound by treaty to give him each year. In this year also at Hamstead in Berkshire was seen blood [to rise] from the earth. This was a very calamitous year in this land, through manifold impositions, and through murrain of cattle, and deficiency of produce, not only in corn, but in every kind of fruit.

On 18 Mar 1103 [his wife] Sybilla Conversano Duchess Normandy died.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1104. Afterwards were reconciled the Earl Robert (age 53) of Normandy and Robert de Belesme (age 48), whom the [his brother] King Henry (age 36) had before deprived of his lands, and driven from England; and through their reconciliation the King of England (age 36) and the Earl of Normandy (age 53) became adversaries. And the king (age 36) sent his folk over sea into Normandy; and the head-men in that land received them, and with treachery to their lord, the earl (age 53), lodged them in their castles, whence they committed many outrages on the earl (age 53) in plundering and burning.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1105. In this year, on the Nativity, held the [his brother] King Henry (age 37) his court at Windsor Castle [Map]; and afterwards in Lent he went over sea into Normandy against his brother Earl Robert (age 54). And whilst he remained there he won of his brother Caen [Map] and Baieux; and almost all the castles and the chief men in that land were subdued. And afterwards by harvest he returned hither again; and that which he had won in Normandy remained afterwards in peace and subjection to him; except that which was anywhere near the Earl William of Moretaine (age 21). This he often demanded as strongly as he could for the loss of his land in this country.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1106. In this year was the [his brother] King Henry (age 38) on the Nativity at Westminster, and there held his court; and at that season Robert de Belesme (age 50) went unreconciled from the king (age 38) out of his land into Normandy. Hereafter before Lent was the king (age 38) at Northampton, Northamptonshire [Map]; and the Earl Robert (age 55) his brother came thither from Normandy to him; and because the king (age 38) would not give him back that which he had taken from him in Normandy, they parted in hostility; and the earl soon went over sea back again.

Battle of Tinchebray

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1106. After this, and before August, went the [his brother] king (age 38) over sea into Normandy; and almost all that were in that land submitted to his will, except Robert de Belesme (age 50) and the Earl of Moretaine (age 22), and a few others of the principal persons who yet held with the Earl of Normandy (age 55). For this reason the king (age 38) afterwards advanced with an army, and beset a castle of the Earl of Moretaine (age 22), called Tenerchebrai.136 Whilst the king (age 38) beset the castle, came the Earl Robert (age 55) of Normandy on Michaelmas eve against the king (age 38) with his army, and with him Robert of Belesme (age 50), and William, Earl of Moretaine (age 22), and all that would be with them; but the strength and the victory were the king's (age 38). There was the Earl of Normandy (age 55) taken, and the Earl of Moretaine (age 22), and Robert of Stutteville, and afterwards sent to England, and put into custody. Robert of Belesme (age 50) was there put to flight, and William Crispin was taken, and many others forthwith. Edgar Etheling (age 55), who a little before had gone over from the king (age 38) to the earl, was also there taken, whom the king (age 38) afterwards let go unpunished. Then went the king (age 38) over all that was in Normandy, and settled it according to his will and discretion.

Note 136. Now Tinchebrai.

On 28 Sep 1106 [his brother] King Henry I "Beauclerc" England (age 38) defeated his older brother Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 55) at the Battle of Tinchebray at Tinchebray, Orne.

William Warenne 2nd Earl Surrey and Robert Beaumont 1st Earl of Leicester Count Meulan (age 66). Elias La Flèche De Baugency I Count Maine commanded the reserve. The following fought for Henry:

William "Brito aka Breton" D'Aubigny (age 20).

Alan Canhiart IV Duke Brittany (age 43).

Raoul Tosny (age 26).

William "Pincerna aka Butler" D'Aubigny (age 42).

Robert Grandesmil (age 28), and.

William Normandy I Count Évreux.

Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 55) was captured and spent the next twenty-eight years in prison; never released.

William Mortain Count Mortain 2nd Earl Cornwall (age 22) was also captured. He spent the next thirty or more years in prison before becoming a monk. Earl Cornwall forfeit.

Edgar Ætheling II King England (age 55) was captured and subsequently released; Henry had married to Edgar's niece Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England (age 26) in 1100.

Robert II Belleme 2nd Count Ponthieu 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 50) escaped.

Robert Stuteville was captured.

After 28 Sep 1106 Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 55) was imprisoned at Devizes Castle [Map].

In 1123 [his son] William Clito Normandy Count Flanders (age 20) and [his daughter-in-law] Sibylla Anjou Countess Essex and Flanders (age 11) were married. She the daughter of Fulk "Young" King Jerusalem (age 34) and Ermengarde La Flèche De Baugency Countess Anjou. He the son of Robert Curthose III Duke Normandy (age 72) and Sybilla Conversano Duchess Normandy. He a grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

In 1124 [his son] William Clito Normandy Count Flanders (age 21) and [his daughter-in-law] Sibylla Anjou Countess Essex and Flanders (age 12) were divorced.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. After 26 Mar 1124. After this went the [his brother] king (age 56), and won all the castles of the Earl Waleram (age 20) that were in Normandy, and all the others that his enemies held against him. All this hostility was on account of the son of the Earl Robert (age 73) of Normandy, named [his son] William (age 21). This same William (age 21) had taken to wife the younger [his daughter-in-law] daughter (age 12) of Fulke, Earl of Anjou (age 35): and for this reason the King of France (age 42) and all the earls held with him, and all the rich men; and said that the king (age 56) held his brother Robert (age 73) wrongfully in captivity, and drove his son William (age 21) unjustly out of Normandy.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1126. In this year the [his brother] king (age 58) had his brother Robert (age 75) taken from the Bishop Roger of Salisbury, and committed him to his son1 Robert, Earl of Glocester (age 27), and had him led to Bristol, and there put into the castle. That was all done through his daughter's (age 23) counsel, and through David, the king of the Scots (age 42), her uncle.

Note 1. Illegitimate.

In 1127 [his son] William Clito Normandy Count Flanders (age 24) and [his daughter-in-law] Joanna Monferrat Countess Essex were married. She by marriage Countess Essex. She the daughter of Rainier Aleramici Marquis of Monferrat (age 43) and Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy (age 57). He the son of Robert Curthose III Duke Normandy (age 76) and Sybilla Conversano Duchess Normandy. They were third cousins. He a grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1127. And the King of France (age 45) brought [his son] William (age 24), the son of the Earl of Normandy (age 76), and gave him the earldom; and the people of that land accepted him. This same William had before taken to wife the [his daughter-in-law] daughter (age 15) of the Earl of Anjou; but they were afterwards divorced on the plea of consanguinity. This was all through the [his brother] King Henry (age 59) of England. Afterwards took he to wife the sister1 of the king's (age 45) wife of France; and for this reason the king (age 45) gave him the earldom of Flanders.

Note. Maternal half-sister; their mother Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy (age 57).

Death of Robert Curthouse

Florence of Worcester Continuation. 1134. Robert (age 83), brother of king Henry, and formerly earl of Normandy, who was taken prisoner of war by the king when in Normandy, at the castle of Tinchebrai, and had been long confined in England, died at Cardiff, and, being carried to Gloucester [Map], was buried with great honours in the pavement of the church before the altar.

On 03 Feb 1134 Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 83) died at Cardiff Castle having spent twenty-eight years in captivity. He was buried at Gloucester Cathedral [Map].

Effigy of Robert Duke of Normandy. ROBERT Duke of Normandy was the eldest son of William the First, King of England. He claimed the Dukedom of Normandy of his father during his lifetime, prosecuted a war against him on that account, unhorsed and wounded him, not knowing who he was, at the battle of Gerbrai. On discovering a mistake which might have involved him in the guilt of parricide, he made an humble submission to William, who was however implacable, and denounced a curse against him, to which Robert's subsequent misfortunes are attributed by the historians of the time. On his deathbed the King disinherited him of his claim of succession to the English crown, substituting his second surviving son, William le Roux, Rufus, or the Red, in his room.

Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy 1051-1134 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

King William "Conqueror" I of England 1028-1087

Royal Ancestors of Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy 1051-1134

Kings Wessex: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex

Kings England: Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Kings Franks: Great x 8 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks

Kings France: Great Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Ancestors of Robert Curthose Normandy III Duke Normandy 1051-1134

Great x 4 Grandfather: Rollo Normandy Duke Normandy

Great x 3 Grandfather: William "Longsword" Normandy I Duke Normandy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Poppa Unknown Duchess Normandy

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Sprota Unknown

Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Unknown Unknown

Great x 2 Grandmother: Gunnora Countess Ponthieu

GrandFather: Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy

Great x 4 Grandfather: Pascweten Vannes

Great x 3 Grandfather: Judicael Berengar Penthièvre I Count Rennes

Great x 2 Grandfather: Conan "Crooked" Penthièvre III Duke Brittany

Great x 1 Grandmother: Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffrey "Greygown" Ingelger 1st Count Anjou

Great x 4 Grandmother: Gerberge Unknown Viscountess Anjou

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ermengarde Gerberga Ingelger Duchess Brittany

Father: King William "Conqueror" I of England -2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Father of Beatrix and Herleva

GrandMother: Herleva Falaise

Robert Curthose III Duke Normandy Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Arnulf "Great" I Count Flanders

Great x 3 Grandfather: Baldwin III Count Flanders

Great x 4 Grandmother: Adela Vermandois Countess Flanders

Great x 2 Grandfather: Arnulf II Count Flanders

Great x 3 Grandmother: Matilda Billung Countess Flanders

Great x 4 Grandmother: Hildegard Westerburg Margrave Billung March

Great x 1 Grandfather: Baldwin "Bearded" IV Count Flanders

Great x 4 Grandfather: Adalbert I Margrave of Ivrea

Great x 3 Grandfather: Berengar II King of Italy

Great x 2 Grandmother: Rozala of Italy

Great x 4 Grandfather: Boso Unknown Margrave Tuscany

Great x 3 Grandmother: Willa Bosonids Queen Consort Italy

GrandFather: Baldwin "The Good" V Count Flanders

Great x 2 Grandfather: Frederick Luxemburg Ardennes

Great x 4 Grandfather: Eberhard IV Nordgau

Great x 3 Grandmother: Hedwig Nordgau

Great x 1 Grandmother: Ogive Luxemburg Countess Flanders

Great x 3 Grandfather: Heribert I Count Gleiberg Gleiburg

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ermentrude Gleiburg

Mother: Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert I King West Francia

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh "Great" Capet Count Paris

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Vermandois

Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh I King France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia

Great x 3 Grandmother: Hedwig Saxon Ottonian

Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Ringelheim Queen Consort East Francia

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert "Pious" II King France

Great x 2 Grandmother: Adelaide Poitiers Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Rollo Normandy Duke Normandy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Gerloc aka Adela Normandy Duchess Aquitaine

Great x 4 Grandmother: Poppa Unknown Duchess Normandy

GrandMother: Adela Capet Duchess Normandy

Great x 1 Grandmother: Constance Arles Queen Consort France

Great x 3 Grandfather: Fulk "Good" Ingelger 2nd Count Anjou

Great x 4 Grandmother: Roscille Loches Countess Anjou

Great x 2 Grandmother: Adelaide Blanche Ingelger Queen Consort West Francia

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ratburnus I Viscount of Vienne

Great x 3 Grandmother: Gerberge Unknown Viscountess Anjou