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Generation: 1
Generation: 2
Generation: 3
4. | William I "Longsword", Duke of Normandy was born about 900 in Normandy, France (son of Rolf Ragnvaldsson, Duke of Normandy and Poppa de Bayeux); died on 17 Dec 943 in France; was buried in Rouen Cathedral, Rouen, Normandy, France. Other Events and Attributes:
- History: He was also known as Guillaume Longue-espee, in French.
In 927, he succeeded as the Duke of Normandy, upon the death of his father.
Most of William's career was spent in relative obscurity, but in the late 930s he suddenly emerged onto the stage of Frankish royal politics, first because of his war with Arnulf of Flanders, and then because of his support for King Louis IV (d'Outremer) at a time when Louis' star seemed to be fading.
In December 942, at the peak of his good relations with Louis, Arnulf called for a peace conference with William. At the conference, William was murdered (traditionally, Arnulf is said to have arranged the murder). [see picture below]
A Planctus (mourning poem) was composed probably shortly after William's death. Jules Lair suggests plausibly if not definitively that it was in 943. This poem, although it survives only in corrupt and incomplete versions and is largely hagiographic in content, nevertheless is a critical source for early Norman history. It is by far the earliest work written about the Normans from a Norman point of view, and some historical nuggets can be gleaned from it. [see picture below]
William married Sporte de Bretagne about 932. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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5. | Sporte de Bretagne Other Events and Attributes:
- History: She was a Breton captive, who became known as William's "Danish Wife".
Notes:
Married:
The were married under pagan rites.
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Generation: 4
8. | Rolf Ragnvaldsson, Duke of Normandy was born about 870 in Mære, Norway (son of Rognvald Eysteinsson the Wise, Jarl of Moer and Rognhild Hrolfsdotter); died on 927 - 932 in Normandy, France. Other Events and Attributes:
- Military: 911, Normandy, France
- Baptism as an Adult: Abt 912
- Title(s): 912
Notes:
Name:
He was also known as Rolf the Ganger, Rolf Wend-a-Foot, Rolf the Viking, and Rollo of Norway.
Military:
Making himself independent of King Harald I of Norway, Rolf sailed off to raid Scotland, England, Flanders, and France on pirating expeditions and, about 911, established himself in an area along the Seine River. Charles III the Simple, King of France held off his siege of Paris, and battled him near Chartres. Finally, they negotiated the treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, giving Rolf the part of Neustria that came to be called Normandy, in return Rolf agreed to end his brigandage.
Baptism as an Adult:
Rolf Ragnvaldsson was baptized as an adult having converted to Christianity.
Title(s):
He became the Duke of Normandy.
Died:
Despite his earlier conversion, he is said to have died a pagan.
Rolf married Poppa de Bayeux in 0891. Poppa (daughter of Berenger, Margrave of Neustria and Adelheid) was born about 872 in Bayeux, Calvados, Normandy, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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