Robert the Magnificent, Duke of Normandy (c. 1010 – 1035)

Son of Richard II and Judith of Brittany, and younger brother of Richard III. From his succession, Robert had to face the revolts led by his uncle Robert, Archbishop of Rouen, Hugh, Bishop of Bayeux, William Talvas, Count of Bellême, and Alan, Duke of Brittany. Having taken into his protection the sons of King Ethelred of England, he called upon the Danish King Cnut to return to them their paternal inheritance, and armed a fleet in the port of Fécamp (1034) which was dispersed by a storm. It was also to Robert that Henry, son of the King of France, Robert II, turned when his mother Constance tried to disinherit him; Robert’s support earned him the French region between the Epte and the Oise. At the height of his powers Robert undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, obtaining before his departure an oath of allegiance from his illegitimate son William. He died in Nicaea on the journey home.

Bibliography :

- François Neveux. - La Normandie des ducs aux rois, Xe-XIIe s. - Rennes : Ouest-France, 1998.
- Michel de Boüard. - Guillaume le Conquérant. - Paris : Fayard, 1984.